Written and video letters are personal opinions, newest first. All viewpoints are welcome. AI screened or Human reviewed labels describe assessment; names and identities are not verified. This is not a representative survey, petition or count of official responses.
Read published letters below. The published letters are also available as JSON .
Staff voice Video letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 22 October 2026
A member of staff shares her experience of working at Kew Riverside Primary School and her views on the proposed closure. This is her personal account and opinion.
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-9abcac1c978e
Watch on YouTube
Report this video letter or request removal Yann Stoneman Community letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 21 October 2026
Give Kew Riverside a supported chance to recover
Dear councillors,
I am asking Richmond Council to withdraw the closure proposal because it has not adequately explained why Kew entered pre-consultation without first being asked for, and supported to prepare, a recovery plan.
At our meeting on 21 October, Helen, our chair of governors, explained that the school’s June budget forecast a positive year-end balance and that no new recovery plan had been requested before pre-consultation. When asked for a plan a few years ago, the school submitted one. It subsequently recorded surpluses.
The council’s financing scheme provides for recovery discussions and support when a school expects a deficit budget. Please explain how those provisions were considered for Kew and publish the assessment used to conclude that recovery was unachievable.
The council’s own leaflet acknowledges that Kew reorganised classes and staffing, reducing costs while maintaining educational standards. Yet public descriptions of how full it is use 210 places, without explaining the current four-class teaching model’s ceiling of 120. These are different measures, not proof of available places or financial viability. When I raised this, I felt the distinction was brushed aside. How were the existing savings and actual staffing structure assessed?
During the meeting, Cllr Julia Cambridge said that, when choosing a school, “you would know that Kew Riverside is not at full capacity and is quite an outlier in some ways”, adding: “that was known. That was known.” She also said this did not mean the school couldn’t have a sustainable future. Nevertheless, I felt blamed for choosing it. Knowing a school has empty places is not the same as knowing it might close. We chose Kew because we believed it was right for our child.
In the BBC interview, the council leader referred to losing roughly 60% of core funding. Please explain the connection to Kew’s proposed closure, make clear that this is not a 60% cut to school funding, and publish the funding options considered for recovery.
The Kew FAQ forecasts reserves remaining at March 2027 in question 5, while question 6 says they are already exhausted. Please reconcile those statements. Having to work so hard to establish the facts while facing the loss of our children’s school has seriously damaged my trust.
Parents have now submitted a recovery proposal seeking to retain class teachers and a full-time headteacher. Assess it with its authors, the school and governors, resolve the funding and implementation questions, and agree a funded programme with clear milestones and transparent monitoring. Withdraw this closure proposal, confirm that it will not proceed to the statutory stage, and keep Kew open throughout 2027/28. Uncertainty risks driving families and staff away. Any later closure proposal should follow a proper evaluation and fresh consultation using updated evidence, including equality, SEND and wider pupil impacts. Give Kew the supported opportunity to recover that it should have had before closure was proposed.
Yann Stoneman
Kew Riverside parent
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-20261021a001
Supporting note and sources
Report this community letter or request removal Parent voice Video letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 19 October 2026
A parent shares her experience of Kew Riverside Primary School and her concerns about the proposed closure.
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-d2137332d949
Watch on YouTube
Report this video letter or request removal Lisa Community letter · AI screened · Opinion · 13 October 2026
Dear Ian Dodd,
I am writing to you as someone who has worked at Kew Riverside Primary School for 20 years. I have seen this school grow from its very beginning, when it started with just six children. My connection to the school is also deeply personal, as my daughter attended the school and now works here herself, supporting children with special educational needs.
Kew Riverside Primary School is so much more than just a building. It represents the future of our children. It provides them with a safe, caring and supportive environment where they can learn, grow and feel that they belong. It is a place where children know they can turn to the staff when they are struggling and where every child matters.
The children love their school, and it would be devastating for them to lose the place where they feel safe, understood and supported. Moving to another school could be particularly difficult for those children who thrive in a smaller school environment, where they benefit from individual attention, familiar faces and the close relationships they have built with staff and their peers.
After dedicating 20 years of my life to this school, I have seen first-hand how important it is to the children, their families and the wider community. The relationships, trust and sense of belonging that have been built here cannot simply be replaced by moving the children somewhere else.
I sincerely ask you to look into your heart and consider one very important question: ‘Are we truly doing the right thing for these children’. Please look beyond the building and consider the lives, futures and emotional well-being of every child who calls Kew Riverside Primary School their school.
These children are our future. One day, one of them may be working in education and faced with making decisions that affect the next generation of children. I hope that, when that day comes, they will remember the importance of putting children's needs, happiness and futures first.
Please give these children the consideration they deserve and think carefully about the lasting impact this decision could have on their lives.
Thank you for taking the time to read my letter and for considering the future of Kew Riverside Primary School and all the children who depend on it.
Yours sincerely,
Lisa.
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-f6f9cb4ef8fd
Report this community letter or request removal Jessica Community letter · AI screened · Opinion · 12 October 2026
Dear Ian Dodds,
I am writing to express my deep sadness and serious concern regarding the proposed closure of Kew Riverside Primary School.
I have had the privilege of working at Kew Riverside for the past eight years, but my connection to this school goes far beyond my time as a member of staff. I attended Kew Riverside myself as a child, and I know first-hand the positive and lasting impact that a nurturing school environment can have on a young person's life. The experience I had here helped shape the person I am today, and it is one of the reasons I felt so strongly about returning to work at Kew Riverside. I wanted to give something back to the community that helped shape me, to support children in the way I had been supported and to help create that same sense of belonging, safety and encouragement for the next generation.
To now face the possibility of losing a school that has meant so much to me, both personally and professionally, is incredibly heartbreaking. This is not simply a workplace to me. It is a community that played a part in shaping my own life, and one that I have been proud to give back to over the past eight years.
During my time here, I have seen first-hand the incredible difference this school makes to children's lives. I have watched children grow in confidence, overcome difficulties, develop a love of learning and achieve things that they, and sometimes the people around them, may never have thought possible.
I am not writing this letter to discuss finances, budgets or figures. I am writing from the perspective of someone who works closely with children every day in my roles as an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), Drawing and Talking Practitioner, Mental Health First Aider and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead.
I want to speak up for the children, particularly those whose voices may not be heard during this decision-making process. I want us to consider the children who may not have the words to explain their fears, the children whose needs are not always immediately visible and the vulnerable children for whom Kew Riverside is so much more than a place to receive an education.
Kew Riverside provides a safe and nurturing environment where children can feel understood, accepted and supported. It is a place where relationships have been built, trust has developed and individual needs are recognised. For many children, particularly those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), emotional difficulties or other vulnerabilities, this sense of security is fundamental to their ability to learn and thrive.
We must seriously consider what closing this school could mean for these children.
Have we fully considered the emotional and psychological impact of removing children from an environment in which they feel safe and are thriving? Have we considered those who struggle with change, who find busy environments overwhelming, who need additional emotional support or who have taken years to build trust in the adults around them? Have we considered the children for whom attending school has not always been easy, but who are now coming through the doors happily because they feel safe, valued and understood?
For some children, moving to a larger setting may be manageable. For others, it could be an enormous challenge. A change of school is not always just a change of classroom, teacher or building. It can mean losing familiar faces, trusted relationships, established routines and the feeling of belonging that has taken years to develop.
For a vulnerable child, these things can be fundamental to their ability to learn, regulate their emotions and feel safe in the world around them.
I am deeply concerned that, for some children, the consequences could extend far beyond the initial disruption. Children who become overwhelmed, anxious or unable to cope in a new environment may begin to struggle with attendance. Those who already find the education system difficult to navigate could lose trust in it altogether. We must consider the very real possibility that some children could disengage from education or struggle to access it consistently.
I believe these risks deserve serious consideration before any final decision is made. We cannot simply assume that every child will adapt to a new school, that the same support will be available elsewhere or that the impact on their mental health and wellbeing will be temporary.
I have seen children thrive at Kew Riverside. I have seen children who are achieving academically, developing socially and emotionally, loving school and feeling proud of what they accomplish. I have seen the difference that the right environment, the right relationships and the right support can make.
Some of these children are thriving because of the very things that make Kew Riverside special: the relationships they have with staff, the understanding of their individual needs and the time and care given to helping them succeed in their own way.
Their progress is not measured by academic results alone. It is also seen in their growing confidence, their friendships, their ability to manage their emotions, their willingness to try and their belief in themselves. For some children, simply feeling safe enough to come to school each day is an achievement in itself.
For some of these children, this school and the people who work here have genuinely changed their lives.
That is what makes this proposed closure so heartbreaking.
I ask you to look beyond the practicalities of closing a school and consider the human consequences. Please do not view this solely as a decision about a school building, but as a decision about individual children, each with their own needs, experiences, vulnerabilities, hopes and futures.
I would urge you to listen directly to the families and professionals who know these children best. Consider the children who may not have the words to explain what losing this school would mean to them. Consider those whose distress may be expressed through anxiety, withdrawal, changes in behaviour or school avoidance rather than through a clear verbal explanation of how they feel. Consider the children whose needs may not be immediately visible, but for whom stability and trusted relationships are essential.
Their voices matter just as much as everyone else's, and it is our responsibility to ensure that they are not lost in this process.
I understand that difficult decisions may need to be made, but I strongly believe that the emotional wellbeing, mental health, educational progress and long-term futures of these children must be at the heart of any decision. Before proceeding, I believe there must be proper consideration of the individual impact on children with SEND, vulnerable children and those who may struggle to cope in a different educational setting.
Their needs must be properly assessed, their families must be meaningfully consulted, and the potential consequences of closure must be taken seriously. There must be a genuine understanding of what these children stand to lose, not simply an assumption that alternative provision will meet their needs.
After eight years working at Kew Riverside, and having attended the school myself, I have seen its impact from two very different perspectives. I know what it gave me as a child, and I have had the privilege of seeing what it continues to give to children today.
I have seen the progress, determination, joy and achievements of children who have been given the opportunity to flourish in an environment that understands them. I have seen how much the people who work here care about the children and how hard they work to help them succeed.
I cannot stand by without expressing my concern about what these children could lose. It is heartbreaking to think that children who are currently happy, settled and thriving could have that stability taken away, without the full impact on their individual needs and futures being understood.
I returned to Kew Riverside because I wanted to give something back to the community that helped shape me. I have spent the past eight years doing my best to support the children who come through its doors, and I want them to have the same opportunity to feel safe, to belong and to flourish that I was fortunate enough to experience myself.
Please put the children first. Please listen to the voices that may otherwise go unheard. And please consider not just where these children might go next, but what this decision could mean for their wellbeing, their education and their futures.
Once a school closes, the familiar environment and community it provides cannot simply be recreated elsewhere. The relationships, trust and sense of belonging built over years cannot be transferred overnight. We owe it to these children to make sure that every possible consequence has been considered before such a significant and potentially irreversible decision is made.
I sincerely hope that you will take the time to understand the impact this proposal could have on the children whose lives are at the centre of it. I urge you to give their needs, their voices and their futures the weight they deserve.
This school has helped shape the person I am today. I have seen it help shape the lives of so many children since returning as a member of staff. I ask that you do not overlook the lasting value of what Kew Riverside provides and the very real human cost that its closure could bring.
Yours sincerely,
Jessica
A member of staff at Kew Riverside Primary School
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-fa5bc609b27c
Report this community letter or request removal Lauren Rowe Community letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 08 October 2026
I am writing as a parent of two children at Kew Riverside Primary School to express my deep concern about the proposal to close the school.
Kew Riverside is far more than just a school to our family. It is a place where my children feel safe, supported, known and valued. The staff have built genuine relationships with our children, and as a parent, I have felt listened to and supported throughout our time there.
What stands out to me most is that the teachers, support staff and other parents at Kew Riverside did not give up on my son. They continued to support him, encourage him and work with me to understand what he needed. They were patient and compassionate, and they made a real effort to ensure that his days at school could be as happy and positive as possible.
The progress he has made is enormous. He now wakes up happy and wants to go into school. As a parent, I cannot put into words how significant that change is.
Seeing him wake up happy and ready to go is something we do not take for granted. It is the result of a great deal of patience, understanding, consistency and care from the people around him.
The relationships he has built with his teachers and the wider Kew Riverside community have played a huge part in getting him to where he is today. To remove him from that environment now and expect him to manage another major change would be extremely difficult for him.
A school move is not simply a change of building for my son. It means new teachers, new routines, new expectations, new children and new relationships. I am deeply concerned about how he would cope with such a substantial disruption. The stability and familiarity he currently has at Kew Riverside are incredibly important to him.
My other son is currently in Year 5. For him, the proposed closure would mean having to leave a school and community where he is settled, potentially moving to another primary school for just one year before then making another huge transition into secondary school. I worry greatly about the disruption and emotional impact this could have at such an important stage in his education.
Kew Riverside also has something that is incredibly difficult to recreate: a strong, welcoming and supportive community. The parents, teachers and staff genuinely care about one another, and there is a shared feeling that our children come first. We have built relationships and a sense of belonging that go far beyond the classroom.
As parents, we place an enormous amount of trust in our children's school. We trust the people who teach them, care for them and support them through difficult moments. Kew Riverside has earned that trust from our family.
I fully appreciate that the Council has difficult decisions to make. However, I respectfully ask that the Council considers not only the practical and financial implications of closure, but also the human cost and the effect this decision could have on the children and families who rely on this school.
For my children, Kew Riverside is a place where they are known as individuals. It is a place where staff have gone above and beyond to help them, particularly when things have been difficult. For my son especially, it has taken a huge amount of patience and support to get him to the point where he now wakes up happy to go to school. That progress should be protected, not put at risk.
Please listen to the voices of the children and families who are at the heart of Kew Riverside Primary School and carefully consider the lasting impact that closing it could have.
I sincerely hope you will reconsider the proposal and allow Kew Riverside Primary School and its community to continue providing the care, stability and support that our children deserve
Kind regards
Lauren Rowe
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-5be5f7c9417c
Report this community letter or request removal Alketa Ibraj Community letter · AI screened · Opinion · 07 October 2026
I have been part of the KRPS school since my eldest son started Reception in 2013, and throughout all these years, KRPS has become so much more than just a school to our family. It has been a place where my children have grown, learned, built friendships and created memories that they will carry with them for life.
All my children have had such positive experiences at KRPS, and I have always felt incredibly proud to be part of such a welcoming and supportive school community. Last year, my daughter had the opportunity to take part in a week of work experience at KRPS as part of the Year 10 work experience programme. She describes it as one of the best experiences of her entire school life. That speaks volumes about the opportunities and experiences KRPS provides for its students.
It is truly heartbreaking to even consider the possibility of KRPS closing. After so many years of being part of this community, I know first-hand the positive impact the school has on its pupils and their families. Closing KRPS would not simply mean losing a school; it would mean losing a valued community, the opportunities it provides, and a place where children are given the chance to thrive and feel that they belong.
I sincerely hope that the decision-makers will recognise what makes KRPS so special and do everything possible to keep the school open. I would love for other children and families to have the same opportunities, experiences and wonderful memories that my children have had.
KRPS has been an important part of our family’s lives for many years, and I really hope it can continue to be an important part of many more families’ lives for years to come.
Alketa
parent of Adnan currently in year 6
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-f0fd25b82fe3
Report this community letter or request removal Leila Haldane Community letter · AI screened · Opinion · 07 October 2026
I am Leila Haldane I am writing as a parent of two children at Kew Riverside Primary School, and as a parent who is deeply concerned and saddened by the proposal to close our school.
I simply cannot understand why a school that is clearly thriving, with happy children, exceptional teachers, fantastic results, and such a positive Ofsted report, is being considered for closure.
Both of my children are incredibly happy at Kew Riverside. They have flourished there, both academically and personally. The teachers are quite simply amazing. They know the children individually, understand their strengths and needs, and create an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and encouraged to succeed.
What makes Kew Riverside so special is its size. The small school and small class environment is not a weakness it is one of its greatest strengths. It allows teachers to give children the individual attention they deserve. It creates a genuine sense of community, where children are known, cared for, and able to thrive.
The results speak for themselves. The children are achieving excellent grades, the school has received a glowing Ofsted report, and most importantly, the children are happy and thriving. Surely these are exactly the things we should be protecting and celebrating in our education system.
As a parent, I chose this school because of what it offers my children. I have seen first-hand how much they have grown in confidence, how much they enjoy going to school, and how well they are progressing. The thought of taking that away from them and from all the other children and families who have built their lives around this school is incredibly upsetting.
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-14617ebf2ac0
Report this community letter or request removal Anonymous Community letter · AI screened · Opinion · 05 October 2026
Kew Riverside feels much more like an extended family than simply a school. It is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and every child is cared about as an individual.
My son has been incredibly happy here, and we had always assumed that his younger sibling would join him. We were looking forward to having both our children at the school and being part of this community for many more years.
The small size of Kew Riverside is sometimes presented as a weakness, but for us it is one of its greatest strengths. Everyone knows everyone: children grow up and learn together across year groups, teachers know the families, and parents look out for each other's children. It teaches the children something beyond book knowledge – a sense of community and belonging that feels increasingly rare. And importantly, it works: the children are happy and they do well.
Children can be allocated places elsewhere, but you cannot simply recreate a community like this. The looming prospect of closure and the uncertainty around it are already taking a toll on everyone, especially the children. We very much hope every realistic option to preserve this successful and much-loved school will be explored.
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-a7d6053334cd
Report this community letter or request removal Anonymous Community letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 01 October 2026
We chose Kew Riverside because it feels like home and all the teachers are incredible especially with my son who needs special care. They have loved him and cared for him like their own. Even the hospital has said the school has been brilliant with training and everyday care. We have worked as a team everyday to look after my son in order for him to be part of every activity and to be part of everything they do. Every day my son says that the teachers has helped him during the day with his condition and that he is finding it very easy to communicate with them more than he did last year. Since he has been here, he’s had a smile on his face at the end of the day because he knows that they care and want the best for him. We have built a good connection and we communicate very well especially when it comes to his condition. Since he has been diagnosed, everyday I feel more and more comfortable for the teachers to provide the extra care he needs as I know that they look after him very well and know what they are doing.
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-ea1861c5dea4
Report this community letter or request removal Angela D Community letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 28 September 2026
Kew Riverside Primary School is not just a school; it is a community hub where every child feels included, understood, appreciated and encouraged.
Our son, Antony, is now in Year 4 and has been a pupil at Kew Riverside Primary School since Reception. During these years, the school has helped him, and us as a family, to build his confidence, grow academically and develop into a more caring and considerate individual who understands the importance of supporting and being part of his community.
The possibility of the school closing is deeply upsetting, particularly when we have seen first-hand how much progress the school and its pupils have made over the last few years.
The children have achieved brilliant academic results while learning within a mixed-year model. Rather than seeing this as a weakness, we believe it demonstrates what can be achieved when children are given the right environment, support and encouragement to thrive. It is incredibly difficult to understand why a school that is delivering such positive outcomes for its pupils should face closure.
One of the things that makes Kew Riverside so special is the staff. They are exceptionally supportive, approachable and genuinely invested in the children. Antony has developed a strong sense of confidence because he knows that the adults around him know him, understand him and care about his progress. The fact that each child is known by the staff creates an environment where children feel safe, valued and able to be themselves.
We have received so many comments from parents, friends and people living locally about ‘how lucky we are to have such a brilliant school and community’. We truly believe that this sense of community is something very special and increasingly rare.
We sincerely hope that this is not taken away from our children. They deserve the opportunity to continue learning, growing and succeeding in a school that has already shown what is possible through small classes, a mixed-year model and a genuinely caring community.
We therefore make a heartfelt appeal to those responsible for making this decision: please look beyond the proposal to close the school and consider what Kew Riverside Primary actually means to the children and families who depend on it. Please listen to the voices of the pupils, parents and staff, consider the progress and achievements of the school, and recognise the value of the community that has been built here.
Before any final decision is made, we ask you to give Kew Riverside Primary School a genuine opportunity to demonstrate that its successful mixed-year model and close-knit community can continue to provide an excellent education for our children. Please do not take away a school where children feel known, safe, supported and able to succeed.
Kew Riverside Primary School has given Antony much more than an education. It has given him confidence, belonging and a strong foundation for his future. We hope our children are given the opportunity to continue to show just how successful and valuable a small, inclusive school can be.
Please keep Kew Riverside Primary School open for Antony and for all the children who call it their school.
Angela and Stefan
Parents of Antony, Year 4
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-748c74071dfc
Report this community letter or request removal Marie Community letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 28 September 2026
Kew Riverside is our family and the heart of our community.
When our family arrived from abroad, our child needed help catching up at school. Thanks to the exceptional teachers and smaller class sizes, we saw real progress. Their dedication made a real difference to our family.
Both of my children feel completely safe, understood, and supported here every day. It is not just the teachers, but the entire staff from the front desk to the lunch team who make this place feel like a true village.
Closing this school would destroy a nurturing school that changes children’s lives. Kew Riverside simply needs promotion and visibility, not closure.
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-d8f399f86d6a
Report this community letter or request removal Priscila S Community letter · AI screened · Opinion · 26 September 2026
Dear all,
Our son is currently in Year 3, and since his very first day at Kew Riverside, we have known that this is so much more than a school building. Kew Riverside has become an extension of our immediate family. It is where our son feels a genuine sense of belonging, where he feels safe, supported and valued. Every day, he experiences the dedication of an exceptional team who know him, care about him and want the very best for him. As parents, knowing that our child is surrounded by people who genuinely care is invaluable.
That is why this proposal is so deeply upsetting. Kew Riverside is not simply a building or a balance sheet. It is a thriving community built on resilience, commitment and an unwavering focus on children's wellbeing. The recent Ofsted results are important evidence of what this community has achieved.
Kew Riverside is our parental preference. We chose this school because of its education, values, care and community, and we have chosen to remain because we believe it is the right place for our child to learn, grow and thrive. That choice and commitment should matter.
Money matters, but money is not everything. As taxpayers, we expect our money to be used wisely and we expect a fair, transparent process before a decision with such a profound impact on our children is made.
Kew Riverside is not currently in deficit. The concern is based on a projected future deficit if pupil numbers do not increase. We therefore believe the school should be given a genuine opportunity and sufficient time to attract more pupils, particularly by promoting its recent Ofsted results. Also, the Council should also ensure a fair admissions process, rather than leaving schools to fend for themselves, explore savings elsewhere, and investigate whether greater flexibility within the PFI arrangements could help address the projected financial pressures.
Before closing a thriving school, every realistic alternative should be properly explored.
We ask the Council to listen to the children, families and staff who will be most affected. Behind every financial figure are real children, real families and a real community.
Please do not reduce Kew Riverside to a financial calculation. Give our school the time, support and fair opportunity to thrive.
Kind Regards,
Adam and Priscila Smith
Parents of an Year 3 Pupil
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-277ca9e843c5
Report this community letter or request removal Samiulhaq Community letter · AI screened · Opinion · 24 September 2026
Pre-statutory Consultation on the Proposed Closure of Kew Riverside Primary School
Dear Mr Dodds,
I am writing as the parent of two children currently at Kew Riverside Primary School — my daughter Jannat, aged 9, and my son Haris, aged 7. Both children are in Ash class, and both began their entire education at Kew Riverside. I want to share why I believe this school is irreplaceable for our family and urge the council to reconsider this proposal.
A few years ago, we made the decision to move our children to Kings School. It was a short-lived experiment. Within weeks, both Jannat and Haris were asking us, repeatedly and earnestly, to move them back to Kew Riverside. They spoke constantly about how much better cared for they felt there, about the warmth of the teachers, and about the quality of everything the school offered — academically and pastorally. Not a single day went by without them mentioning how much they missed it. We listened to them, and within a month we moved them back. That decision has never been anything but the right one.
I raise this not simply as a fond anecdote, but because it speaks directly to something a budget spreadsheet cannot capture: the quality of care and the sense of safety and belonging that Kew Riverside provides to its pupils. My own children — at ages seven and nine — recognised and articulated this themselves, without prompting, when given a point of comparison. That is a rare and telling thing.
I understand the financial pressures facing the local authority are real, and I do not dismiss them. But I believe strongly that a child's safety, wellbeing, and the quality of their education must be the primary consideration in any decision of this magnitude — not a secondary one weighed against a budget deficit. Kew Riverside's recent Ofsted inspection recognised exactly these qualities: a highly inclusive school, strong relationships with families, high expectations for every pupil, and children who are happy, confident and safe. These are not easy things to build, and they are not easily replaced by reassigning children to a different school with guaranteed places.
I therefore ask the council to:
1. Give genuine weight to the lived experience of families like mine, who have direct, comparative evidence of the difference Kew Riverside makes to a child's education and wellbeing.
2. Explore every alternative to closure — including collaboration, federation, or restructuring — before proceeding further.
3. Recognise that displacing settled, thriving children carries real emotional and educational costs that are difficult to quantify but are no less significant than financial ones.
Kew Riverside changed my children's experience of school for the better, and they told us so in their own words. I urge the local authority to weigh that as heavily as it weighs the numbers on a page.
Yours sincerely,
Samiulhaq
Parent of Jannat and Haris, Ash Class, Kew Riverside Primary School
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-893f680dfd3c
Report this community letter or request removal Uzay Akyurek Community letter · Human reviewed · Opinion · 22 September 2026
Kew Riverside Made Kew Feel Like Home
We moved to Kew around 18 months ago, new not only to the area but to the UK. Everything was new to us, and Kew Riverside was one of the first places that truly opened its doors and made us feel welcome.
My son Uzay is now 9 years old. Kew Riverside helped him settle incredibly quickly into a new country and a completely new life. He found friends, confidence and a real sense of belonging. And through him and the school, we found our community too. In many ways, Kew Riverside helped turn Kew from the place we had moved to into our home.
What has touched me most is how every child is seen as an individual. I have watched children with very different needs being genuinely included, supported and given the opportunity to thrive. There is a warmth and sense of belonging here that is difficult to describe until you experience it yourself.
A school like Kew Riverside is much more than a building or its pupil numbers. It is friendships, relationships, trust and a community that has been built over many years.
Uzay loves his school. He feels safe, known and happy there. And there are younger children who deserve the opportunity to grow up with that same experience.
You can close a building on a particular date, but you cannot simply recreate the community that lived inside it.
For our family, Kew Riverside made Kew feel like home. I sincerely hope it will continue to do the same for many more children and families in the years ahead.
Seda Akyürek
Kew Riverside parent
Published on Save Kew Riverside Primary School Campaign · Independent and parent-led
https://savekewriversideprimaryschool.org/letters.html#letter-2046d08e61fa
Report this community letter or request removal