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Community efforts to save Soho's last primary school amid declining pupil numbers
Photo: theguardian.com
2026-07-18 17:32   Society   10

Community efforts to save Soho's last primary school amid declining pupil numbers

Soho Parish C of E primary school, located between a strip club, a West End theatre, and a pub, faces closure due to falling pupil numbers and post-Covid challenges.Once one of 16 schools in the area, it is now the last remaining primary school in Soho.Parents and local businesses are campaigning to preserve the school, which serves as a vital community hub.

Falling pupil numbers, exacerbated by a decline in families in the area, have led to financial strain, with the school's revenue reserves deficit growing.

While the governing body recently halted plans to amalgamate the school with another in Fitzrovia, uncertainty remains as Westminster council works on a consultant's report.

Supporters argue the school's unique location and access to cultural institutions make it irreplaceable, while concerns about teacher retention and affordable childcare loom.

Campaigners, including former parents and figures like Mark Featherstone-Witty, are pushing for a creative community school model to attract students and sustain the institution.

The school's future hinges on balancing community needs with financial realities, as officials face pressure to address the broader crisis of declining primary school numbers in England.

Full reading at theguardian.com

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