Published: 2024-03-11 by, News Team in the Chiswick news category

Hounslow Council Contemplates Vetoing Gunnersbury School's Co-Educational Plan Amidst Neighboring Schools' Concerns

Hounslow Council is poised to block Gunnersbury School's proposal to become co-educational, citing concerns about its potential impact on neighboring schools. The Governing Body of the boys’ Roman Catholic School aims to admit girls in Year 7 from September 2025, responding to increased demand for mixed-sex education, already present in the school's sixth form.

Gunnersbury's governors argue that local demand for Catholic coeducational secondary school places surpasses availability, with a significant decline in preference for single-sex Catholic education. Despite Gunnersbury's 'Outstanding' rating in all areas by Ofsted and high academic performance, council officers recommend rejecting the proposal.

Although a four-week consultation showed majority support from parents and staff, the council emphasizes the need to address concerns from affected parties. Criticisms were raised regarding the school's consultation process, despite compliance with Department for Education guidelines.

During the statutory consultation, objections arose from neighboring schools like Brentford School for Girls, Gumley House, and St. Mark’s Roman Catholic School. Concerns primarily revolve around potential adverse effects on pupil intake, compounded by declining student numbers regionally.

Brentford School for Girls expressed concerns about the impact on its diverse school community, echoing sentiments from St. Mark’s School, where the headteacher highlighted the disproportionate number of boys and girls in applications.

Gumley House School FCJ anticipates a drop in pupil numbers if Gunnersbury's proposal proceeds, potentially necessitating a reconsideration of its status as a single-sex girls’ Catholic school.

Should Hounslow Council block Gunnersbury's plan, the Diocese retains the option to appeal to the Office of School Adjudicator. The decision holds implications for the school's future direction and broader educational landscape in the borough.

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