Islington Pupils Protest School Closures Near Valentine’s Day

Kids protested near Islington Town Hall. They attend St Jude’s & St Paul’s school. The protest happened near Valentine’s Day. Children held red, heart-shaped balloons. They also carried signs showing affection for their school. Highbury Quadrant Primary students joined them. Their banners said “Keep us open.”

Islington Council wants to shut both schools. The council says student numbers are too low. Birth rates are also declining in the area. The community started fighting this plan in November. The initial discussions ended the next month.

A Year 2 student read a poem. She said all kids have a chance to grow there. She hoped people would listen to their cause. Closing the school would hurt their community. Another student said he would report the council if they closed his school down.

Rev James Hill spoke about St. Valentine. He called him a “man of courage.” He said that love is worth fighting for. He asked if that’s why they gathered. He cited their school’s values of togetherness and love.

Pippa Dowswell spoke about the school closures. She thinks these closures will damage education. She feels the council has not considered other plans. Spare classrooms exist they could put to good use. Dowswell thinks the council is short-sighted.

Class sizes are a bit low presently. Things might soon change in the future. More kids could come to Islington later. Closing schools now might become a future disaster. The council has not yet decided to close the schools.

They voted to do a “formal consultation”. Final decisions may be made in the summertime.