The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families, Councillor Zena Brabazon, approved the closure of Tiverton Primary School. The meeting also noted information regarding filming at meetings.

Tiverton Primary School Closure

Councillor Zena Brabazon, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools & Families, approved the proposal to close Tiverton Primary School from 31 August 2025. This decision was made due to a significant and sustained decline in pupil numbers, which has led to the school operating at a substantial financial deficit and impacting its long-term viability.

The report presented to Councillor Brabazon outlined that there were no objections or comments received during the statutory representation period, despite extensive consultation with stakeholders. The school currently has 130 pupils on roll, with a significant number of Year 6 pupils due to transfer to secondary school in September 2025. Many families have already transferred their children to other local schools.

Several alternative options were considered and rejected:

• No change: This was deemed unsustainable due to the school's deficit budget and the increasing risk of the deficit growing with falling rolls.
• Federation: No schools expressed interest in federating with Tiverton Primary School, and it was unlikely to address the decline in pupil numbers or financial viability.
• Amalgamation: While an amalgamation with South Grove Primary School was explored, it was not favoured due to the financial position of both schools, with both budgeting for a deficit. Furthermore, recent pupil movement data indicated that families were opting for other local schools rather than a merger.

The closure of Tiverton Primary School is considered the most financially sustainable option, ensuring the efficient use of resources across the local education system. The Department for Education's guidance on opening and closing maintained schools was followed throughout the process. Displaced pupils will be supported to transfer to other local schools, with a focus on ensuring they are placed in schools rated 'Good' or 'Outstanding' by Ofsted. Transition planning will be put in place to support pupils, parents, and staff through the process.

The decision to close Tiverton Primary School aligns with the Council's Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026, which aims to ensure that Haringey schools are educationally and financially viable, providing pupils with a rounded education. The closure is also expected to lead to more efficient energy use by reducing the number of school buildings operating below capacity.

The Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) for the closure highlighted potential negative impacts on staff at risk of redundancy and the disruption to children and their friendships. It also noted specific impacts on deprived children in the vicinity of Tiverton. Mitigations include support for staff through redeployment pools and redundancy processes, and a dedicated admissions process to ensure a smooth transition for pupils. The EqIA concluded that the proposal is a reasonable and proportionate response to ensure the sustainability of the school estate.

Filming at Meetings

The Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families noted the information regarding the filming and recording of meetings.