The London Borough of Hackney approved a set of school closures and mergers aimed at responding to falling pupil numbers. These changes – approved by Cabinet on 22 April 2025 and implemented from 31 August 2025 – will affect where many children now attend school and will therefore change demand and routing for school transport, including SEND services.

Below is a clear, practical guide for parents, carers and transport operators (including SEND providers) to understand what happened, what to expect and what to do next.

Quick summary

  • Several primary schools in Hackney were closed or merged after consultation and a statutory representation period. The Cabinet decision was made on 22 April 2025 and the changes took effect 31 August 2025.
  • Key mergers: Sir Thomas Abney Primary → Holmleigh (now on the Sir Thomas Abney site); Oldhill Community School → Harrington Hill (operating from the Harrington Hill site). St Mary’s and St Dominic’s also closed.
  • The Council has put in place support for families, pupils and staff – including SEND transition support, parent handbooks, workshops and a school uniform grant.

The changes (at a glance)

  • Sir Thomas Abney Primary merged with Holmleigh Primary. The expanded Holmleigh now operates from the Sir Thomas Abney site.
  • Oldhill Community School merged with Harrington Hill Primary. Harrington Hill expanded and now accommodates pupils from Oldhill.
  • St Mary’s Church of England Primary and St Dominic’s Catholic Primary were also closed as part of the wider programme.
  • The decisions followed consultation (Oct–Nov 2024), statutory representation (6 Feb–5 Mar 2025) and final Cabinet approval (22 Apr 2025).

Why this matters for transport (and SEND journeys)

  • School pickup/drop-off locations changed. When pupils move to different sites, routes, pickup times and journey lengths can change — affecting operators and families alike.
  • Demand patterns shift. Some areas will see higher demand for certain routes; others will have fewer students to collect. This can affect vehicle allocation, staffing and timetabling.
  • SEND pupils must be considered individually. The Council has committed to additional SEND transition support. Transport operators should expect personalised arrangements for children with specific needs and liaise closely with schools, parents and local authority teams.

Support the Council is offering (relevant for families with SEND)

  • Parent/carer handbooks and workshops (including wellbeing/transition support).
  • Staff support packages and resources for schools.
  • Personalised SEND transition help: each child’s SEND coordinator (SENCo) will meet with relevant professionals to plan support.
  • School uniform grant for families from closing schools via an online application.

Practical checklist — for SEND transport operators

  1. Update your student lists now to reflect the new school sites and confirmed placements.
  2. Review and re-map routes to match new pickup/drop-off points and optimize journey times.
  3. Contact SENCos and school transport coordinators at the receiving schools to confirm individual pupil needs and escorts.
  4. Communicate changes to families early — give clear pickup times, vehicle details and point-of-contact for questions.
  5. Check vehicle accessibility & staffing: ensure suitable vehicles and escorts for wheelchair users, personal care needs and any specialist equipment.
  6. Plan contingency for staggered start/finish times and any temporary route adjustments while travel patterns settle.

Practical checklist — for parents & carers

  • Confirm your child’s new school site and start date (changes took effect 31 Aug 2025).
  • If your child has SEND, arrange a meeting between your child’s SENCo and the transport provider or ‘team around the school’ to confirm transport needs and any personal care/escort arrangements.
  • Apply for the school uniform grant if your child came from a closing school (the Council has an online form).
  • Keep contact details for your transport provider handy and check messages in the first few weeks in case pickup times are adjusted.

How local providers (and neighbouring boroughs) may be affected

Although these changes are specific to Hackney, neighbouring boroughs and providers operating cross-borough routes (including Camden-area operators) should note the potential for altered demand and new routing needs. Operators serving families who live near borough borders should confirm whether any pupils now cross into/out of Hackney schools and adjust planning accordingly.

How Jimac Cars can help

At Jimac Cars we understand that transitions like these can be stressful for families and challenging for operators. We offer tailored SEND transport solutions that include:

  • Route planning and re-mapping to match new school locations.
  • Trained drivers and escorts experienced with young people and SEND requirements.
  • Wheelchair-accessible vehicles and secure equipment storage.
  • Close liaison with SENCos, parents and local authorities to ensure personalised, safe journeys.
  • Flexible, clear communications so families know pickup times and who to contact if anything changes.

If your child’s school placement has changed or you are an operator needing support to replan routes, we can help make the transition smooth and reliable.

Find more details here.

Let Jimac Cars provide safe and reliable transport for families and young people with SEND across Camden, making every journey easier and stress-free.