‘One of oldest schools in Camden’ confirms closure this year

Camden Council’s cabinet members met on Wednesday (March 29) to discuss the future of St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School in Southampton Road, Gospel Oak.

The Ham&High previously reported that discussions were taking place about closing the school due to a “steep fall” in pupil numbers “affecting financial visibility”.

Last year the chair of governors Margaret Harvey said the number of pupils had dropped to 131, compared with a capacity of 315.

In a letter addressed to parents, the chair of governors said: “With great sadness, the decision was made to proceed with the statutory proposal to close the school from the 31st August 2023.

St Dominic’s Primary School, in Southampton Road (Image: Street View)

“Members of the Cabinet were very sad about the decision, especially when they were informed that the school had educated several thousand children on the current site for the last 154 years, making it one of the oldest schools in Camden.”

It was stated that all children who currently attend the school will have a place in a Camden school at the start of September 2023 and that “no child will be left without a school place”.

The letter concluded: “The school governors appreciate that this is not news you wanted to hear. We are indebted to our dedicated staff who are staying on to look after and teach your children up until the end of this academic year.”

Shocked parents launched a petition last year to save the school, which gathered 928 supporters.

The organiser for the petition said in February, before the final confirmation, that it is a “terrible shame” to lose the school but she was glad that an attempt was made to stop it.

When proposing the closure earlier this year, the Diocese of Westminster and Camden Council said in a joint statement: “Despite the steps taken by school governors and leadership of St Dominic’s to actively market the school to increase enrolment, there is still a huge challenge of falling pupil numbers locally and across London.

“This is adding significant financial pressure on the school and why the Governing Board has taken the decision to propose closure of the school.”