Parents, pupils and staff gathered outside Enfield Civic Centre on Tuesday evening to protest against proposals that could close three north London schools. The demonstration came ahead of an overview and scrutiny committee meeting, and the following day the council's cabinet approved moving ahead with a public consultation on the closures and possible alternatives. No final decision has been made.

The three schools are Bishop Stopford's School, a secondary, and two primaries, Starks Field and Suffolks. Enfield Council's Conservative administration says falling and projected pupil numbers, surplus places, budget pressures and reduced per-pupil funding have put the schools at risk. A council report puts Bishop Stopford's at under half its capacity, Starks Field below 45 per cent, and Suffolks projected to fall below 37 per cent occupancy by 2029. The three sites carry a combined budget deficit of £1.68 million.

Labour councillors called in the plans for further scrutiny, arguing there were discrepancies and inconsistencies in the information behind them, and want the proposals debated by the full council. All three schools hold "good" Ofsted ratings.

The case of Suffolks Primary drew particular attention. Head teacher Andrea Cassius said pupil numbers had fallen but special educational needs numbers were rising, pointing to autism units and speech and language support the school has built up. Parent Hollie Welch said closure would be "absolutely devastating" for families relying on that specialist support.

Enfield North MP Feryal Clark, who joined the protest, said closure "shouldn't be the first point of call" while demand for SEN provision is growing, and raised concerns for pupils in the middle of GCSE and A-level courses. A council spokesperson said no decision had been made about any individual school and any closure proposal would go through a full consultation.

[Source: everywherenews.net](https://www.everywherenews.net/news/articles/cwkg5dxr5mg7o) | [Source: northlondonnews.co.uk](https://northlondonnews.co.uk/local/enfield/protests-erupt-over-proposed-enfield-school-closures-north-london-2026/)