The Lammas School has entered a formal consultation process regarding proposals relating to its future organisation, in response to long-term changes in pupil numbers across the local area, with a potential for closure by August 2027.
Recent inspection findings recognised areas of improvement at the school, including calmer behaviour, rising attendance, stronger inclusion, and a positive school community in which pupils feel safe and supported. These developments reflect sustained work by staff and leadership.
The consultation is being undertaken in the context of wider demographic change across London, including falling pupil numbers and surplus school places in some areas. This has resulted in increased competition for admissions across Waltham Forest and neighbouring boroughs, including Hackney and Newham.
In Leyton and Leytonstone, longer-term shifts in population patterns include housing affordability pressures, lower birth rates since the early 2010s, and movement of some families towards outer London and surrounding commuter areas. Over time, this has contributed to changes in demand across both primary and secondary school provision.
Trust and school leadership have implemented a range of measures to respond to these changes, including financial planning, collaboration across Trust schools, staffing adjustments, and changes to post-16 provision. Alternative structural options, including partnerships and merger discussions, have also been considered.
School funding is linked to pupil numbers, and sustained reductions in intake can affect the level of resources available to support staffing, curriculum delivery, and wider provision.
No decision has been made at this stage. The consultation process is intended to gather views from parents, carers, staff, pupils, and the wider community before any final decision is taken.
If proposals were to proceed following consultation, a phased approach would be taken to support continuity of education and minimise disruption. Under the proposal, current Year 6 pupils transferring to Lammas and current Year 9 pupils would transfer to alternative schools within Waltham Forest or neighbouring boroughs for September 2026, current Year 7 and Year 8 pupils would transfer for September 2027, and current Year 10 pupils would remain at The Lammas School to complete their GCSE examinations with full pastoral and academic support in place. Transition planning would be developed for all affected pupils, including coordination with receiving schools and individual support arrangements to ensure continuity of learning.
Staff redeployment within the Trust would be explored where possible, and engagement with the local authority would continue regarding any future use of the school site.
How to respond
Views are invited from parents, carers, staff and other stakeholders via the online consultation questionnaire. Further information is available within this consultation document and meetings will be held with staff and parents/carers during the consultation period.
