Soho Parish Church of England Primary School, located in the bustling neighborhood of Soho in central London, may be in danger of closing due to a decline in student enrollment rates. According to a council report, over a quarter of primary school places in Westminster, where the school is located, remain vacant. Additionally, at least a dozen inner London borough primaries are struggling to keep their doors open.
Despite Soho Parish Primary’s long history, dating back to 1699, it may face the same fate as many other schools in the area that have closed in the past five years. However, community members and stakeholders are determined to save the school, the last one remaining in Soho. Businesses and landowners in the neighborhood are rallying behind the school, and even its Christmas concert was sponsored by Criterion Capital, a property firm.
The decline in enrollment rates can be attributed to a myriad of reasons, including rising costs of housing and living and falling birth rates. Covid-19 has also significantly impacted the school’s attendance rates as many of the school’s students came from the wider community, which may not have been able to bring their children into the city center during the pandemic.
Despite the challenges, many parents remain optimistic about the school’s future, with some stating that the tight finances have galvanized the community to work together and encourage more fundraising efforts. Westminster City Council has also expressed its commitment to helping the school through examining various options to assist with building costs.
Ultimately, Soho Parish Primary School serves as a unique community hub in the heart of Soho, and its closure would be a significant loss for the neighborhood. The hope remains that the community and external backers can work together to keep the school’s doors open for generations to come
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