Council in talks with French Government to open bilingual primary school
Parents turned out to protest at Hammersmith Town Hall, but the council decided to close Peterborough Primary School in Fulham on Monday, January 7 following nine months of consultation.
The council argued that the school in Clancarty Road, Fulham, had too few pupils to stay open.
The school will now close at the end of the summer term in 2008.
Hammesrmith and Fulham Council argues that 50 per cent of the places in community primary schools in south Fulham are unfilled and this represents poor value for money.
Peterborough Primary School was identified and proposed for closure because it has fewer pupils (143) than any of the other three local community schools. Its attainment, although much improved in 2007 following intensive Local Authority support, was previously the lowest in the area.
The council aims to retain the Peterborough site for educational use and is in preliminary discussions with the French government to open a bilingual primary school on the Peterborough site it the future.
Cllr Lillis, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: "The closure of any school is to be regretted and is particularly sad for those pupils in the school. I would like to pay tribute to all the staff and governors who have supported the school especially over the past few months.
"The council will make sure that all pupils and parents affected by the decision to close Peterborough Primary School are given the necessary support in moving to new schools.
"We realise that this decision may not be immediately popular but it is our duty to make difficult decisions that will benefit the people of Hammersmith & Fulham in the long run."
Emma Midgley
January 11, 2008