Trafford Council has approved the closure of St Teresa's Primary School in Stretford, a decision that has left parents 'heartbroken' and 'devastated'. The school, which has faced falling pupil numbers and financial difficulties, was slated for closure after figures showed it was on course for a more than £1m deficit by 2030.
Reasons for Closure
Government rules state that local authority funded schools can only carry a deficit for three years, while Trafford council allows for five years in 'exceptional circumstances' and if there is a plan to return to a balanced position. St Teresa's reported its first year of losses in 2022/23, with the deficit increasing each year since.
The council has argued that there are enough pupil places in the north of the borough to accommodate those displaced by the closure. However, parents told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that their fight to save the school was about 'so much more than a building'.
Parent Reaction
Helen Fitzpatrick, whose two daughters have attended the school, described the closure as 'absolutely heartbreaking'. Her eldest daughter Anais has moved on to secondary school, while Delilah is now in Year Four. Ms Fitzpatrick said opposition to the closure was about 'fighting for our children's wellbeing, the teachers' future and for a school that deserved every opportunity to survive'.
She added: "The closure of St Teresa's R.C. Primary School is absolutely heartbreaking. As a parent, I am devastated that Trafford Council has confirmed its decision to close a school that means so much to our children, families and staff. We fought so hard to save our little school because it is about so much more than a building. It is about the relationships, friendships, familiarity and sense of security our children have built. It is the place where they feel at home."
The council received 379 responses when it consulted on shutting the school. Current pupils now face a period of 'uncertainty', which Ms Fitzpatrick labelled 'distressing'. Her family has been told by St Ann's school that Delilah 'cannot be guaranteed' there, adding this is the 'only other Catholic primary school within a reasonable distance'.
Council Response
Speaking at Monday night's cabinet meeting, lead member for Babies, Children and Young People George Devlin told members that 'closing the school is one of the hardest decisions we'll make as an executive'. He acknowledged the social and emotional impact on everyone involved.
The council has established a 'transitional support group' to work with families and 'find the best possible schools' for pupils, he said. The town hall will also be consulting staff and offering them HR support.
Ms Fitzpatrick has called on Trafford council to step up and support those impacted. She said: "Our children did not choose this. They should not have to lose their school, worry about where they will go next or face the possibility of being separated from the friends who make them feel safe. For children who rely on routine, trusted adults and familiar surroundings, this is about far more than simply transferring to another school. The council says children will be supported, but parents need more than words. We need clear plans, guaranteed appropriate school places wherever possible, proper coordination of medical and additional needs, and genuine consideration of the emotional impact on every child."
Future of Pupils
Council documents state there are 106 available Catholic primary school places in Stretford. Trafford council has said there are 39 pupils left at the school who will be impacted by the closure. However, parents feel this is partly a consequence of the timing of the consultation.
Ms Fitzpatrick said some parents chose to move their children out of the school for the current academic year when they learned about the possibility of it closing. She added: "Parents were faced with an impossible choice: wait for the final decision and risk being left without a suitable school place for September 2027, or move their children elsewhere before the outcome was even known. Understandably, many families could not afford to take that risk."
Coun Julian Newgrosh, Liberal Democrat, raised concerns about the timing at Monday's meeting, saying parents' decision to move children early had left the school at a 'point of no return'. Councillor Devlin said the council had been required to go through a 'statutory process' and the 'basis of the timing' was to enable the closure of the school in August 2027. He added: "The process was determined by the situation that we found ourselves in with the school."
