Leyton secondary school to shut next year

The Griffin Schools Trust has announced The Lammas School will shut at the end of the current academic year (31st August 2027) following “sustained reductions in pupil intake”, reports Marco Marcelline

The Lammas School, Credit: Griffin School Trust

The Lammas School in Leyton has announced it will shut at the end of the current academic year (31st August 2027).

The decision, announced today (30th September), comes following a “sustained decline in pupil numbers over recent years”, leaving Griffin Schools Trust, which runs Lammas, struggling to adequately fund it.

In the summer, the local community was consulted on plans to shut the school in June and July, with the trust stating that year seven admissions had fallen from 141 in 2021 to 51 in 2025.

Griffin Schools Trust said it had already taken steps to respond to falling numbers, “including financial planning, staffing adjustments, collaboration across its schools and changes to post‑16 provision” and “explored partnerships and merger options” before launching the consultation.

Parents of children at local primary schools have reacted with dismay at the closure. Melissa Nesbitt, who has two children at fellow Griffin Schools Trust’ Riverly Primary told the Echo the news meant it left the Lea Bridge area without any future secondary school provision.

She said: “Me and my family moved to Leyton from Walthamstow in 2022 because we were priced out – now I’m fearing we may have to move again because there isn’t enough secondary school provision here, and I already know other families who’ve done so.”

The situation was especially “sad”, she said because she and other families were of the view Lammas was an improving school, with GCSE results in August being its strongest for several years.

Local mum Olivia Power was so moved by the pending closure she launched an online petition against it.

Arguing that local demand for secondary places in the area was still strong, Olivia said: “The closure of Lammas should not be mistaken for a lack of need.

“Many families, including my own, cannot simply move into another catchment area. We love Leyton, have put down roots here, and want our children to grow up in this community. Yet without adequate local secondary provision, families may increasingly face the prospect of moving away simply to secure a school place.”

The news comes just a day after it was revealed Waltham Forest Council has earmarked Edinburgh Primary School, where capacity is below 20%, for potential closure.

As previously reported by the Echo, schools across the borough are struggling with declining pupil numbers, rising costs and growing deficits.

In Waltham Forest, the number of Year Seven pupils fell 5.38% last year, while nursery pupil numbers have dropped 27% over the past decade.

Several primary schools have already reduced their Published Admission Numbers (PAN) to remain viable, and around 90 schools across London have closed or merged in the last five years.

London Councils forecasts a 3.8% fall in Year Seven places in the capital and 2.5% fall in reception places between 2025/26 and 2029/30, with around £45million in lost funding for London schools as a result.

Griffin School Trust said in full: “Following a listening period with its school community, the Board of Trustees and the Department for Education have agreed that The Lammas School, Leyton, will close to students at the end of the 2026–27 school year, on 31st August 2027.

“This carefully considered decision follows a sustained decline in pupil numbers at the school over recent years. While the school and Trust have worked hard to respond to this changing picture, the reduction in pupil numbers is increasingly affecting its ability to provide the breadth of curricular and extra-curricular opportunities that its pupils deserve.

“The decline in pupil numbers is part of a wider pattern across London, including Waltham Forest and neighbouring boroughs, where schools are experiencing excess places.

“The school and Trust are now focused on supporting its pupils, families and staff throughout the period of phased closure. The Lammas School will continue to work closely with its school community to ensure that everyone affected is kept informed and receives the support they need throughout this period.”

Are you affected by this closure? Get in touch: [email protected]

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

ACT NOW!

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.