On 20th January 2025 a consortium of social enterprises lodged a bid with Hackney Council to re-open the former Colvestone Primary School as a community educational, cultural and social hub.
The Council had resolved in December 2023 that, due to falling pupil numbers, it would close the school. Hackney promised to consult on future uses but the community presently remains in the dark about its current plans. The school finally closed in August 2024.
An application nominating the school buildings and land as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) was made in September 2024 by members if the local community “to ensure that future uses of the Colvestone Primary School buildings and land shall continue to serve the social interest and wellbeing of the local community as it has done in the past.” Hackney Council accepted the nomination and registered it as an ACV on 19 December 2024 It concluded that “it is realistic to think that there will be a time within the next five years when the main use of the building and land could further the social wellbeing or social interest of the local community ”.
The consortium includes:
- two charitable museums holding national collections : the Pollocks Toy Museum and the Bakelite Design Trust
- two arts organisations which manage affordable studios for artists and other creative businesses – V22 and the Bomb Factory Arts Foundation
- Julian Joseph OBE and other established musicians offer support for a Music Hub where young people can learn, record and perform their music;
- the Eastern Curve Garden offers support for managing the open space and rooftop garden and
Opportunities remain open for other proposals including use of the school kitchen facilities eg for teaching nutrition and cooking and use of the former nursery school eg for a local shoppers creche
Bill Parry-Davies who is co-ordinating the consortium’s bid, said “All across London schools are closing as a result of London becoming unaffordable for young families. Local Councils are being starved of government funds and so there is a real risk that these fine public buildings will be permanently lost to our communities. Viable alternative uses which confer community benefit, like the Colvestone School bid, are possible and these would preserve and enhance the rich architectural, educational and social heritage which these former schools embody.”
Julian Joseph of the Music Hub said “ Often before anything community oriented can be achieved with a building, such as the now former Colvestone School it’s possibilities are routinely removed before its artistic potential can even start to be realised. Hackney is in a great position to evolve this former school building into a thriving musical facility and absolutely fulfill a great necessity.”
Eran Zucker of V22 said “Colvestone School offers a unique opportunity to create a vibrant hub for education, creativity, and community collaboration. At V22, we are committed to preserving spaces where artists, makers, and local residents can come together to share skills, create, and innovate. Being part of this project reflects our deep belief in sustainable and inclusive spaces that enrich the cultural and social life of Hackney."
Background facts
Built in 1862 in the Gothic style, Colvestone Primary School was one of the six purpose built Birkbeck Schools established by William Ellis. The schools were named for George Birkbeck, founder of Birkbeck University of London and a pioneer in education. The school became publicly owned in 1906 when it was transferred to the London County Council and was thereafter run as a community primary school by the Inner London Education Authority and, since 1990, by Hackney Council.
The school, and its forecourt railings, were listed on the National Heritage List as Grade 2 in 1975. It was recognised in the local St Mark’s Conservation Area appraisal as one of the “highest quality buildings” in the area and an “exceptional public building”. The Council report of December 2023 outlining its school closure plans stated “The Council has been reviewing options for alternative uses. This is very challenging work in the current economic climate, because it is very difficult to find financially sustainable uses…we will do our best to steer these sites into locally relevant and valuable uses mindful of the extreme financial pressure the Council is under and the need to minimise the impact on our finances. We will take into account the views of the community, the needs of the local neighbourhood, and the need for financial sustainability.”
Despite a vigorous and strongly argued local campaign by Save Colvestone School, Hackney finally closed the school, and a number of other primary schools, in August 2024 due to falling pupil numbers. There is an overall 20% vacancy in Hackney’s schools and further closures are anticipated.
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