The General Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Cabinet's decision to close Bradstow Community Special School and Registered Children's Homes. Following a debate, the committee voted to take no further action, allowing the closure decision to proceed.

Closure of Bradstow Community Special School

The committee considered a call-in request regarding the Cabinet's decision to close Bradstow Community Special School in Kent. The closure, decided on 3 November 2025, was described by Councillor Judi Gasser, Cabinet Member for Children, as a painful decision but necessary due to the school's unsustainable financial position. She stated that the school had an accumulated deficit of close to £1 million by December 2025, with five out of the last seven years showing a deficit. Councillor Gasser emphasised that the council's primary responsibility lies with Wandsworth residents and taxpayers, and that continuing to fund a school outside the borough, which primarily serves children from other local authorities, was not justifiable. She highlighted that only one of the 11 children currently at Bradstow is from Wandsworth, and alternative provision has been secured for this child.

Councillor Aled Richards-Jones, Leader of the Opposition, argued that the call-in was necessary on two grounds: a lack of openness and transparency, and the risk that the decision was unreasonable or irrational. He pointed to a statement made by Councillor Gasser at the Cabinet meeting, inferring that the Department for Education (DfE) would not grant an academisation order, which he claimed was not supported by Cabinet papers and was contradicted by a representative from Bradstow who stated the DfE had requested more time to explore academisation. Councillor Richards-Jones also contended that correspondence with the DfE, which became available after the Cabinet decision, suggested the council had prematurely paused closure negotiations with a financial ultimatum, leading the DfE to withdraw its request for a pause. He asserted that the school's viability is fiercely contested and that its business plan, which outlines cost savings and potential for new enrolments, had not been thoroughly examined.

Mrs. Sarah Adams, Principal of Bradstow School, addressed the committee, stating that the decision had left vulnerable young people facing uncertainty. She argued that key information was missing when the initial decision was made and that the school's viability had been repeatedly demonstrated, with efforts to do so being blocked. Mrs. Adams cited the prevention of new admissions as a decision that undermined the school's viability and questioned the reliance on Kent County Council's debt as a justification for closure, noting that this debt remains whether the school closes or not. She also pointed to the interest shown by two academies and three independent providers as evidence challenging the claim of non-viability.

During the debate, concerns were raised about the suitability of Paddock Secondary and Sixth Form School in Tooting as an alternative provision for children with complex needs, with Councillor Steffi Sutters arguing that the children at Bradstow have severe profound and complex needs that are nothing like those at Paddock. Councillor Sutters also questioned the council's approach to recovering outstanding fees from other local authorities, suggesting that the school's involvement in this process had been insufficient. Mr. Halleck, a council officer, responded that legal proceedings to recover debt had been initiated and that negotiations with Kent were ongoing, though he noted that recovering the debt was complex and that Kent had made an offer significantly lower than the amount owed.

Councillor Sara Apps proposed that the committee take no further action, allowing the Cabinet's decision to close the school to be implemented. This was seconded by Councillor Rex Osborne. The committee voted by three to two in favour of taking no further action, meaning the decision to close Bradstow Community Special School will proceed.

Declarations of Interests

No disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable or non-registrable interests were declared by the committee members. Councillor Sheila Boswell, Councillor Sara Apps, and Councillor Rex Osborne declared that they had visited Bradstow School.