16 primary schools in the Bethnal Green, Stepney and Wapping catchment areas have been identified as in scope of the review, but no decisions have been made about the future of any of these schools. The local authority, through an independent consultant, is working together with these schools to develop proposals for how school organisation may change. Some ideas have been put forward for partnerships with other schools not ‘in scope’ (for example, secondary schools) and these schools are also being involved in this work. These proposals may include hard federations, amalgamations and school relocations. More detail about each of these three options will follow. No changes will be implemented before the 2020/21 school year.
The review will not affect the organisation of schools in the east of the borough or schools in the west of the borough that are not in scope of the review, unless these schools have asked and/or agreed to be included. However, the primary purpose of the review will be to address the number of surplus places in the west of the borough.