Could London Become a City Without Children? Hackney Schools at Risk

Hackney primary schools are facing an unprecedented crisis as falling birth rates and rising living costs reshape the capital’s communities. St Dominic’s Catholic Primary School is among six schools that may close or merge, sparking concerns over job losses, overcrowded classrooms, and the disappearance of vital community hubs. School closures such as these beg the question could London Become a City Without Children?

Teacher Carly Slingsby, who works at St Dominic’s, shared her frustration: “Hackney Council has pulled the plug without giving us a chance to save our school. We have incredible teachers and a close-knit community here—it feels like they’re erasing that.” The closures would see children displaced and families scrambling for new school places, while staff face an uncertain future, with up to 150 redundancies expected.

Hackney Council has attributed the closures to a significant decline in the number of school-aged children, with nearly 25% of reception places unfilled since October. This is part of a broader trend across London, where families are leaving due to soaring housing costs and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

Fears of a Childless London

Parents and teachers alike are worried about the future of London as a family-friendly city. Nataliya Nayda, a teacher at St Dominic’s, described the situation as “devastating,” adding, “London is under threat of becoming a city without children. Rising costs are driving families out, and this is the result.”

Hackney Council is considering merging and closing six schools, including St Dominic’s, St Mary’s Church of England Primary, Oldhill Community School, and Sir Thomas Abney Primary. For families like Jordan Rivera’s, who has a daughter at Sir Thomas Abney, the closures are deeply personal.

“I’ve had children at this school for nine years, and now I have to tell my daughter she won’t be taught by her favourite teachers anymore. It’s heartbreaking.”

A Wider Trend Across London

The situation in Hackney reflects a city-wide issue. A report by the Education Policy Institute predicts that the number of primary school-aged children in London will drop by 52,000 by 2028. Birth rates have been falling nationally, but in London, the trend is accelerated by the capital’s rising living costs.

Councillor Anntoinette Bramble, Hackney’s cabinet member for education, explained, “Schools that struggle to fill empty places have less money to provide the high-quality education that children need. Falling rolls and immense financial pressures make these decisions unavoidable.”

While the council aims to ensure that all schools remain financially viable, the impact on local communities is undeniable. For families, schools are more than just educational institutions—they’re lifelines that hold neighbourhoods together.

Hackney’s school closures reflect broader challenges highlighted by the Education Policy Institute, which predicts a significant drop in primary school-aged children across London by 2028.

For more updates on London’s changing communities and the latest local news, visit EyeOnLondon. We’d love to hear your views—join the conversation in the comments below!

[Image Credit: Rodin Eckenroth]

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