St Nicholas School, Elstree

Good morning everyone,

Today, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our parents, staff, governors, local councils, and the wider community for the unwavering support you have shown since September 2025 as we have stood strong and united throughout the consultation process regarding the future of St Nicholas School Elstree.

Today, the Cabinet met, and the final decision has been made that our school will close on 31st August 2026.

This is an incredibly emotional moment for us all. I am deeply grateful to the families who have stood by us for so long, and to our dedicated staff, who throughout this difficult and emotional rollercoaster have remained committed, loyal, and true to the school despite the uncertainty and the impact this has had on so many of our school families and livelihoods.

As we approach half term, I hope it offers everyone a chance to pause, reflect, and find some breathing space after such a challenging period. While difficult changes lie ahead, we will continue to move forward together with strength, dignity, and care, supporting the children who remain with us until the very end of our journey as a school community.

Thank you all for your compassion, resilience, and continued support.

Warm wishes,
Mrs Johnston-Grant
Headteacher

Collective worship was fantastic this morning! Led by our Rector, Revd Steven, we learnt about The Ascension.

Forest school Fridays… marshmallow roasting and den building

UPDATE ON OUR PROPOSED SCHOOL CLOSURE
Following the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the recommendation was that this decision should be passed to Full Council.

The next Full Council is on Tuesday 19 May at 10am - Agenda for County Council on Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 10.00 am | Hertfordshire County Council

This evening I came across this extract from the Elstree Parish magazine dated June1968!

It refers to a church school in Elstree since 1815 and thanks the residents of Elstree for all their hard work, for over 22 years to build a new school.

The Lord Lieutenant at the time emphasised 'the power of good such a school can be in the life of the parish' and referenced the school's motto 'Be strong in the Lord.'

Cabinet meet next Wednesday 22nd April at 2pm to discuss our schools future.

https://democracy.hertfordshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=146&MId=6508

Then there is a scrutiny period and the final decision will be known on 30 April.

Here's hoping for a miracle to save the school from closure.

Last day to comment on our consultation!

This is the village’s only primary school, and its closure would force young children to travel out of the area, creating unnecessary hardship for families and increasing traffic. The school has been at the heart of the community for over 140 years, and losing it would damage the character and sustainability of the village.

St Nicholas also provides valuable Church of England education and a nurturing, small-school environment that is particularly important for children with special educational needs. These benefits would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.

With planned housing developments likely to increase demand for places, closing the school now risks being short-sighted. There is also a clear willingness from the school, the church and community to support its recovery, which should be given time before making an irreversible decision.

Have your say here …
https://surveys.hertfordshire.gov.uk/s/4lzbjx

We are delighted to welcome our new
Team Vicar to the Parish of Elstree and Borehamwood who led our school worship today on the theme of love. The children loved the balloon!

‘Love is the greatest gift we can give to others.
Let us show love and compassion to all, just as God.'
St. Alphonsa

A few words from Vicar Steven Young:
I have recently taken up the post of Team Rector of the Parish of Elstree and Borehamwood, and I am delighted to become part of the St Nicholas Primary School community. Prior to this, I served as Vicar of St Michael and All Angels, Mill Hill, where I ministered for 15 years.

I have always felt called to help people grow in faith and to build inclusive, welcoming communities. I trained for ordination in a monastery in West Yorkshire, an experience that continues to shape my ministry today.

I have already been deeply impressed by the warmth, faith, and sense of community here, and I am very much looking forward to getting to know everyone better in the months ahead. Outside my parish work, I enjoy running, snowboarding, and painting — though not usually all at once. I am also a proud father of a 15‑year‑old son.

I’m excited to work alongside you as we continue building a strong, compassionate community at St Nicholas School and across the wider parish of Elstree and Borehamwood.

PRESS RELEASE
Following the recent meeting of Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council, we are pleased to share that the Council has agreed to seek independent legal advice regarding the proposed closure of St Nicholas Church of England Primary School by Hertfordshire County Council.

This means specialist legal experts will now review the consultation process and related information to ensure everything has been properly considered. No decisions have been made at this stage, but this is a positive and supportive step forward for our school community.

We are grateful for the Council’s support and will continue to keep you updated. In the meantime, school life continues as normal, with our focus firmly on the children and their learning.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

https://www.elstreeborehamwood-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Town-Crier-issue-52-Final-Version.pdf

On Tuesday these posters were put on our school gates..................however we will not be defeated....please make your objections know .... we need YOUR SUPPORT now more than ever.

Dear all,

I have now received an update on our school’s position. As detailed in my last memo, no final decision has been made and we need to continue to fight to save our school for our children, families and staff of the present and the future.

Following the Cabinet decision to proceed with the statutory proposal to close St Nicholas Elstree C of E VA Primary School, a statutory notice has been published today, Tuesday 24th February 2026 (see attached).

Now starts a statutory four-week representation period and in this period, anyone can make comments or objections to the proposal. The 4-week statutory representation period finishes on 24th March 2026. A final decision on the proposal will be made by Cabinet on 22nd April 2026.

Anyone may submit comments or objections to the proposal and I urge you all to do so - no later than 24th March 2026 via this LINK.

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/StNicholasCEConsultation

By email: [email protected]

Or by FREE post:
FAO St Nicholas Elstree C of E Primary School
Freepost RTHH-LXSLBYYR
Hertfordshire County Council
Education Department
County Hall
Hertford
SG13 8DF

Thank you for your continued support at this time of uncertainty. There’s no place like St Nicholas. Stay strong and stick together.

Regards
Mrs Johnston-Grant

Sadly, today the cabinet agreed to recommend to the Director of Children's services to publish a statutory notice, to close our school. I know this will be worrying news and that this continues to be a period of uncertainty for us all.

After today’s meeting there is a 5-day scrutiny and review period after which we will be informed of the outcome; I want to be clear that this is still a RECOMMENDATION not a final decision.

I take great encouragement from the level of support shown for St Nicholas and the recognition of the passion, drive and ambition that define our school. Although the recommendation has moved forward, this is not the end of the journey.

The response we have received from the local community, Hertsmere Borough Council, and Elstree and Borehamwood Town Council has been extraordinary. It reaffirms just how important St Nicholas is, not only as a school, but as a place of belonging, service, and opportunity for children and families.

Together with our governors, I will continue to explore every possible option available to us. We are already preparing for the next stages, and we fully intend to continue advocating for our school and for the families who rely on us.

Our priority remains unchanged: the safety, wellbeing and education of the children currently attending the school. We are continuing to deliver our curriculum and provide support to pupils in the same way as before.

We now look ahead with optimism and determination. The coming months will give us further opportunity to demonstrate why our school remains such a valued part of this community, and why we believe in its future with all our hearts.

Mrs Johnston-Grant
Headteacher