Last Soho school ‘must survive’ to maintain area’s beating heart

By Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

Staff at Soho’s last remaining school say they needs an additional £200,000 every year for the next five years as it is hit by falling pupil numbers.

Soho Parish C of E Primary School, which has existed in Great Windmill Street since the late 19th century, is hoping a combination of fundraising and greater promotion of its services can help it plug the gap and enable it to thrive.

Alix Ascough, executive headteacher at Soho Parish and All Souls C of E Primary School in Fitzrovia, said the school going under would mean “losing that beating heart of the community”.

Ms Ascough started at Soho Parish around a year ago. She said that as is the case across London, the falling pupil roll is asking major questions of the school’s finances.

Schools are funded by the Government on a per-pupil basis and in September, more than a quarter of Westminster’s primary school places were empty, with the council warning of the associated financial implications.

Ms Ascough said due to its unique location, Soho Parish historically has taken on quite a few pupils who attend while their parents work nearby. The shift to working from home is one of several factors believed to be having an impact, alongside wider issues such as the falling birth rate.

In 2018, Ms Ascough said the pupil roll was 180. It is now at 101. She said: “That’s a significant number of children that we don’t have on roll, and yet our costs are very similar. You still have to have teachers per class, you still have energy costs that are the same. They don’t change because the number of your pupils change.”

The school is looking at a number of ways to improve its financial position. These include marketing campaigns to increase awareness as well as a range of potential fundraising activities, from galas to community breakfast mornings.

Ms Ascough said: “Everyone I’ve met with is so invested in Soho that they really just want to support [us],” she said. “And that’s wonderful. There’s a real love of Soho, and I think that flows through the school.”

Soho Parish has been undergoing some changes in a bid to manage its tough financial position. These include an internal staff restructure and opening up a nursery, in-part to provide additional income.

A number of financial pledges have also been made to help the school reach the 200k target to survive.

Ms Ascough said: “People talk about Soho being a village, and when you think of a village you think of a pub and a church and a school,” she said. “And I think to not have a school, you’re losing that beating heart of the community. We are growing the future Soho generation.”

Pictured top: Alix Ascough outside Soho Parish Primary school (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)