08 May Letter from the Chair of the Interim Executive Board
Friday 3rd May 2024
Dear Parents and Carers,
I hope you are well and enjoying the moments of spring sunshine we are finally getting. I am writing to you as the Chair of the Interim Executive Board at Pooles Park to update you on decisions that are being made about the future of the school. As I am sure you may have heard about court challenges in the press and community. Before, I get to the current decisions I will seek to briefly outline the stages that have led to where we are.
Following the Ofsted assessment of the school to be Inadequate in late 2022 the Department for Education made Pooles Park Primary School subject to an Academy Order, which means that Multi-Academy Trusts could apply to take on the running of Pooles Park Primary School. The London Borough of Islington asked the Department for Education not to appoint an Academy Trust to run Pooles Park due to their concerns about the sustainability of the school and other local primary schools because of the falling numbers of children in Islington and across London.
In the summer term 2023, the London Borough of Islington approved a decision to close Pooles Park Primary School if it remained under local authority control. Around a very similar time, the Department for Education approved the transition of Pooles Park Primary School to The Bridge Multi-Academy Trust.
Since the transition approval, the Pooles Park Interim Executive Board, the London Borough of Islington and school staff have worked collaboratively with The Bridge Trust to prepare for the transition and drive improvement of the quality of teaching and learning throughout the school. This collaboration continues and providing a positive learning environment for pupils is a shared priority and commitment.
You have very likely recently seen reports in the press that the London Borough of Islington remains concerned that keeping Pooles Park Primary School open is not in the overall best interests of local children and families. They are therefore challenging the decision to grant the transition of Pooles Park to The Bridge Trust. This challenge will be heard at the High Court in early May. The Court will be asked to consider whether the decision was taken appropriately.
Once the Court has reviewed and ruled on the challenge, we will of course update pupils, staff and parents and carers about what this means for the school as soon as possible.
Whatever decision is made by the court, I assure you the myself and the wider Interim Executive Board are committed to driving forward clarity on the next steps for the school as quickly and smoothly as possible.
In the meantime, please rest assured that all involved in providing education to children at Pooles Park are working hard to make sure that your children get the best education possible.
SIGNED John Hayes Chair Pooles Park Interim Executive Board