Plumstead parents express shock and dismay at proposed primary school closure

Greenwich parents have been ‘shocked’ after being told their children’s school is being earmarked for closure by the council.

The authority agreed to launch a consultation earlier this month on closing Gallions Mount Primary School in Plumstead at the end of the current academic year, saying it is facing a £1.2 million deficit by April 2026 due to falling pupil numbers.

Council officers said in a report that the school had 295 primary-aged pupils in January 2021, which had since decreased to 169.

The proposal to close has been discussed with the head teacher and chair of governors.

Barry Scutts, 52, has an eight year old son at Gallions. He has lived in Plumstead his whole life and attended Gallions Mount himself as part of its first year group for the modern building.

The dad said: “This school started in 1977 and I started in that first year, so if it does close, I’ll have been there when it started and he’ll be there when it’s closed.”

He added: “We didn’t really decide on any other schools. I said to my wife that I thought this school was the best option for him because of the community feel and everything that they do in the school.”

A letter sent out to parents two weeks ago said that declining pupil numbers were having significant financial implications for the school and the consultation on the closure was expected to launch the following week.

The dad said: “The message was just titled, ‘School Closure’. I saw that and I just said to my son, ‘Looks like you might have a day off,’ and as soon as I read it I was in shock really because it was sudden and the fact that we weren’t aware over the past few years of the situation that the school now finds itself in.”

He added: “If we would have known maybe a year or two back then we could have maybe tried to do something, fundraising and things like that.”

The authority has stated that there are enough places in other primary schools in the borough to accommodate the pupils of Gallions Mount and all children would be supported to ensure a seamless transition.

However, Mr Scutts said communication from Greenwich council has been inadequate and no details of support for parents have been outlined yet. Several parents are also worried about being able to transport their children to school elsewhere in the borough.

Rachel Ding, 40, has lived in Plumstead her whole life and has a seven year old son at Gallions Mount. She said: “My son is quite upset and he doesn’t want to leave. He doesn’t want to go to another school.”

Kirstin Rothe, 45, has three children who currently attend Gallions Mount, said: “Nobody saw this coming because the school obviously didn’t mention anything about this deficit. We knew that classes were getting smaller, but that’s the reason why we picked the school, because it’s small.”

She added: “I just wish they had told us earlier that they are in trouble and this is what could happen and then we could have all done this a lot earlier.”

The mum said many parents have already started taking their kids out of the school in anticipation of the final decision in March next year. She added: “My youngest one just doesn’t understand, he just keeps asking, ‘Am I still going to the school on Monday?’”

The mum has started a petition to halt the closure, which has received over 500 signatures, although she admits she may be fighting a losing battle.

A Greenwich council spokesman said: “We understand that the proposed closure may feel unsettling and we appreciate the feelings expressed by the school’s community.

“Proposals like this are never easy, but they are in the long term interest of our children. We ask that these concerns and suggestions are sent to us via the online consultation.”

Gallions Mount Primary School has been approached for comment.

Pictured top: Parents outside Gallions Mount Primary School (Picture: Facundo Arrizabalaga)