Soho Parish Church of England primary school, the last remaining school in London's Soho area, is facing an uncertain future due to falling pupil numbers following the Covid pandemic. The school, located between a strip club, a West End theatre, and a pub, has been a fixture of the community for decades but now struggles with a growing deficit as enrollment has dropped from nearly 180 children before Covid to an expected 65 next September.
Parents Fear Loss of 'Normal Family Life'
Parents collecting their children this week expressed frustration with the lack of communication from the school and Westminster council. One parent described the school as the last vestige of 'normal family life' in Soho, saying, 'Without this school it's all just tourists, isn't it?' Another noted that the area lacks family-friendly housing, with mainly elderly and single residents, contributing to the decline in pupil numbers.
One couple, who wished to remain anonymous, said their son had started in nursery class and they hoped he could stay, but they feared teacher departures due to uncertainty and were considering moving for affordable childcare.
School's Financial Challenges and Temporary Reprieve
The school received a temporary reprieve last month when the governing body abandoned plans to amalgamate with another Church of England school in Fitzrovia, nearly a mile away. However, a school spokesperson stated: 'Our falling roll means that our revenue reserves deficit continues to grow. The reality is that we had close to 180 children before Covid, and next September we will be welcoming close to 65 children. Given that schools are funded on a per pupil basis, we are having to look at all options.'
Westminster council is working on a consultant's report by Isos Partnership on the future of schools in the borough. The council has reportedly accrued a £1m deficit keeping the school open, despite an estimated £1m in external fundraising.
Community Campaign and Creative Vision
Despite the challenges, the school has strong support from local businesses and former parents. Alice MacDonnell, a former parent campaigning to revive the school, said the pandemic caused a dramatic drop in commuter families who previously brought their children from outer London boroughs like Hounslow. She is working on plans to transform the school into a 'creative community school' that inspires creative thinking beyond the national curriculum.
'We've got lots and lots of people behind us. We've now got Mark Featherstone-Witty, the founder of the Brit School, supporting our vision, so we are gathering teachers and inspiring people who can transform the school,' MacDonnell said. A Soho school community committee has been formed to fight for the school's survival.
Council and MP Responses
Hannah Galley, Westminster council's cabinet member for children and education, said: 'Falling pupil numbers are affecting schools right across central London, and Soho Parish primary school is no exception. We're working closely with the school, parents and the diocese through the Isos Partnership review process to look honestly at every option – including what it would take to keep the school open – before any decision is made.'
Rachel Blake, Labour MP for Cities of London and Westminster, said: 'I absolutely stand by the parents and kids at Soho primary; it's a really important part of the community and we should do everything we can to make sure that it carries on. It's really important that the council and the diocese come together to stabilise the school's leadership, and the council needs to develop a sustainable approach for the school.'
Westminster has already seen the largest decline in primary pupil numbers among local authorities, a fall of 16% in the past five years. National forecasts predict primary and nursery numbers will fall by nearly 473,000 between now and 2031, the equivalent of more than 1,500 primaries without pupils.
