Carlton Primary School

Open letter to Cllr Angela Mason, Camden Council cabinet member for education

• THE CNJ reported last week that council planning officials had recommended to councillors that the Abacus free school project in Rosslyn Hill, NW3, be approved.

The very next day,November 8, parents and carers at Carlton Primary School were given letters informing them that Camden Council were considering closing their children’s school due to falling roll numbers (Parents warned another primary school could face closure).

While the government has cut the funding to councils for schools our local schools have been struggling to maintain their high standards with less funding.

How can council planners justify creating new school places in Belsize Park while closing them in Gospel Oak, less than a mile away?

Surely taking this political decision during a general election campaign is inappropriate and violates the convention of “purdah” that normally covers a general election campaign.

Camden’s policy is not to encourage free schools, preferring to continue to provide primary education in-house through a mixture of community and faith schools.

What is the cost of establishing Abacus free school on Rosslyn Hill? What is the cost of closing Carlton primary school? More important is what will be the social and emotional cost to the children, their families and the wider community?

Gospel Oak is one of Camden’s most deprived areas with significant real poverty and Carlton has the highest proportion of children with free school meals in Camden.

Over the years the school has cemented a deep association with residents, families and local businesses, and contributed greatly to the social cohesion of our local community.

What will be the additional cost to Camden of providing the extra support to the children that will be needed during and after the upheaval of closing Carlton and relocating them to new schools? Where is the impact assessment?

There have been two public meetings in October to promote social cohesion, reduce knife crime and anti-social behaviour and promote safety in our neighbourhood.

How can these changes to our local schools, and the uncertainty they will bring promote a calm and positive environment for our children and families?

Carlton was rated “good” by Ofsted in February 2019. We will fight to stop our children being scattered who knows where, and support the efforts of our dedicated headteacher and staff to keep Carlton open, working to help our children thrive and achieve their full potential.

Readers would no doubt welcome comments from our six local councillors.

CARLTON SCHOOL’S PARENTS & CARERS ACTION GROUP