Colvestone Primary School is now an Asset of Community Value

On 19 December Hackney Council accepted the local community's nomination and has registered Colvestone School as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).  Although the school itself was official closed last August, the ACV decision recognises that the building and land are "of community value" and that future uses could serve "the social well being or social interest of the local community" in the forseeable future. 

Hackney has so far declared 4 of its 58 community primary schools, including Colvestone Primary School, redundant in December 2023 because of falling numbers of children enrolling. Hackney said it would lose £30million of government pupil subsidy overall in 2022/23 due to 20% unfilled school places. Housing costs driving families out of London was one factor cited.( For years Hackney has consistently failed to insist that developers meet its targets to build new affordable family housing in Dalston. Ed.) 

Designed by architect Thomas Knightly, and built in 1862, Colvestone School was one of six purpose built Birkbeck schools. Heritage England listed the school, and its forecourt railings, as Grade II in 1977 and it was acknowledged as being of the "highest quality" and an "exceptional public building" in the appraisal of Dalston's St. Mark's Conservation Area in 2008. 

Replying to Save Colvestone School campaign about future uses of the school the Council stated that "We will seek to preserve the buildings which have a rich history and heritage where possible...it is very difficult to find financially sustainable uses...We will take into account the views of the local community and the needs of the neighbourhood..."

The community's nomination to make the school an Asset of Community Value identified a number of  educational and other uses for the school which are financially sustainable, are needed locally, and which would be of community benefit (Of which more soon. Ed.)

Hackney is presently in breach of an Information Commissioner's order to explain why it is failing to disclose the original  title deeds of the school which, a local resident believes, may contain a charitable covenant restricting any change from educational or charitable uses. In any event, if Hackney decides to sell the school, it could need government approval and, now it has ACV status, the community would have 6 months to make a bid to acquire it (Although, as a public building, we already own it! Ed.)