Brief
Richmond Council proposes closure of Kew Riverside Primary over falling enrolment
The council says a projected £400,000 deficit by 2028/29 forces the decision, while parents argue the school can recover.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Richmond Council is set to close Kew Riverside Primary School in Kew next summer, citing a sharp decline in pupil numbers, Standard reported on 10 October 2026.
What happened
Kew Riverside, a 210‑capacity primary, currently enrolls 87 pupils, according to Achieving for Children (AfC), the borough’s children’s services contractor. AfC projects the roll will fall further over the next five years, leading to a budget shortfall of more than £400,000 by the 2028/29 financial year.
What the reports add
Standard notes that Richmond is experiencing a steady drop in primary‑school‑aged children because of falling birth rates and families moving away, which squeezes school budgets that are funded per pupil. The article also mentions that the school received a positive Ofsted inspection on 26 July, highlighting its strong community support and extensive SEND provision.
What was said
Parent Adam Smith, speaking at a council meeting, said: “Families returned from summer break only to have their children settled in and now face uncertainty about the school’s future… It is not currently in deficit, only projected deficit from 2027. Why are we being pushed towards closure now, rather than giving us the time and opportunity to build on the Ofsted outcome, attract new families and prove Kew can become financially sustainable?” (Standard). Lib Dem Councillor Julia Cambridge, Chair of the Education Committee, told the same meeting that no final decision has been made and that the council will consider all feedback once the consultation closes on 16 October (Standard).
How it came about
The proposal follows a broader trend of school closures across outer London as demographic shifts reduce pupil numbers. Richmond’s earlier reports, covered by Felo News, have highlighted similar pressures on other local schools, linking the issue to national funding formulas that allocate money based on enrolment.
Key facts
- Kew Riverside Primary currently has 87 pupils out of a 210‑place capacity. (standard.co.uk)
- AfC projects a budget deficit of over £400,000 by 2028/29 if the school remains open. (standard.co.uk)
- Richmond Council will close the school next summer unless feedback changes the decision. (standard.co.uk)
- The school received a positive Ofsted inspection on 26 July. (standard.co.uk)
- Consultation on the closure ends on 16 October. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “South London primary latest facing closure due to drop in pupil numbers”
