St Bernadette Catholic Junior School will merge with St Bede's Catholic Infant and Nursery School in Lambeth, south London, due to a nearly 30% drop in pupil numbers over the past decade and rising financial pressures. Lambeth Council faces an expected deficit of £17 million by 2026 if no changes are made, alongside 4,555 empty spaces across primary schools. Ewa Ostrynska, head of St Bede's, expressed that the merger is seen positively by families and staff, fostering financial security and community stability.
According to Lambeth Council, the past ten years have seen a drop of almost 30% in pupil numbers, the equivalent of 18 classes.
The borough currently has 4,555 empty spaces across all primary schools.
If we do nothing across these schools, the cumulative deficit position for them is expected to reach 17 million by March 2026.
Ewa Ostrynska, headteacher at St Bede's, said the merger would allow the school community to "thrive" and that it would "strengthen spiritual partnership" with the church and parish.
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