If you would like to give your views or have any specific aspects of the proposal you would like clarified, please complete the consultation response form: HERE

We have started off with the questions that we as governors, board members and school leaders asked when we began considering federating our two schools.

Responses to frequently asked questions are updated here once a week.

This page was last updated on 6th January 2026.

FAQs 

Q. Who will be the Executive Headteacher?

Jenny Lewis, currently Interim Executive Headteacher across both schools, will be the Executive Headteacher for the Federation.

Q. Will staff be asked/expected to work across either school?

Staff will maintain their school specific job description and would not be expected to work in the other school unless they apply for a role that is across both schools. There will be opportunities for joint staff development/training.

Q. What about jobs?

Federating creates additional opportunities through shared roles and career pathways. There are no current plans for changes to the staffing structure.

Q. Will my child's education change?

Day-to-day classroom experience remains the same. What improves is access to broader expertise, additional enrichment opportunities, and enhanced specialist support when needed.

Q. Will my child have to travel to the other school?

No. Children will continue to attend their own school building. Some enhanced activities or specialist provision might offer occasional opportunities for cross-site experiences, but this federation is not about merging the two schools, the main shared function is governance and leadership oversight.

Q. Will you close one school?

Whether schools close or not is a decision made by the Local Authority and is dependent on numerous factors. The Local Authority has confirmed that there are no planned closures for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic years. The reason we are federating is to provide stable strong foundations for both schools to enable them to thrive.

Q. What about the deaf provision?

Laycock's regional deaf provision is a strength we're championing and protecting. The partnership has already strengthened provision through improved targeted training, development of the deaf resource hub within the provision and joint partnership working with external professionals/organisations. Federating provides additional strategic oversight and financial stability. Qualified Teachers of the Deaf (QTOD) support remains in place and specialist expertise will be enhanced.

Q. Will deaf children still receive the same level of support?

Yes. Qualified Teachers of the Deaf support specialist assessment, and support and interventions continue unchanged. Federating enhances the sustainability and resources available to the provision. Each deaf child will continue to receive support from highly qualified specialist teachers with mandatory qualifications in deafness.

Q. Why not join a multi-academy trust?

We are committed to community-focused education within the local authority framework. Federating allows us to gain benefits of collaboration while remaining accountable to Islington families and maintaining our community school ethos.

Q. What if the schools don't work well together?

We have two years of successful collaboration demonstrating our compatibility. The Federation structure includes governance oversight and clear protocols for resolving any issues that arise.

Q. Are there plans to develop the Federation further with other schools?

All our current efforts are focused on setting up the Federation for Laycock and Thornhill. Of course, we can’t predict the future, but any expansion would be subject to consultation, and would need to align with the Vision and Values of our Federation. 

Q. Isn't this just about saving money? What's really in it for our children?

Yes, federating can support financial sustainability - but that's not the purpose. The real opportunity is about what that stability enables for children:

• Access to broader expertise and specialist support across both schools.

• Enhanced curriculum and enrichment opportunities neither school could provide alone.

• Deaf children benefit from inclusive teaching practices informed by Qualified Teachers of the Deaf expertise.

• Protection and enhancement of the regional deaf specialist  provision.

• Career-ready staff who want to stay, grow and innovate with us.

• Meaningful connections with children from neighbouring schools, developing social bonds and a sense of belonging to their local community.

• The experience of being part of something bigger - a network of schools working together, modeling collaboration and community.

In a city as large and diverse as London, it's easy for families to feel isolated even when living close together. By working together through federation we can create intentional opportunities for connection, helping children develop social capital, empathy, and a strong sense of place in our corner of Islington.

This isn't about institutional survival - it's about creating the conditions for children to thrive, both academically and socially.

Q. Why Thornhill and Laycock, why not other schools?

This partnership began when Laycock Primary School needed leadership support and Thornhill Primary School was seeking opportunities to develop partnerships and extend their leadership capacity. After two successful years this is the natural next step.