Priory Park Road will be closed to traffic
We are celebrating a major victory after successfully winning a two-year campaign to have the road outside the school closed to traffic, creating a safer and healthier environment for pupils, families and the wider community.
We worked closely with local residents and Brent Eleven Streets association (BESt), lead by Josie Warshaw, to campaign for the closure of Priory Park Road, united by a shared vision of improving road safety and air quality. The decision marks a significant step forward in protecting children during drop-off and pick-up times, while reducing pollution in the immediate area.
In 2024, the school and the local community launched a series of public events on Priory Park Road under the banner Kilburn Oasis, and with funding from One Kilburn association. These vibrant gatherings transformed the street into a people-friendly space, raising awareness and inspiring the community to reimagine how the area outside the school could be used — as a safe, green, and welcoming environment for children and neighbours alike.
Kilburn Oasis, 2024
The public consultation that followed saw an overwhelming 81% of local residents (who responded to the consultation) in favour of closing the road to traffic, and 79% with the creation of a pocket park outside the school.
This latest success adds to the school’s growing reputation as a trailblazer in sustainability. Last month, Georgia Gould, Minister of School Standards, visited the school to learn more about its environmental initiatives, including the installation of 28 new solar panels. The panels form part of the school’s ambitious commitment to renewable energy and carbon reduction.
Over the past 12 months alone, the school has reduced its energy and gas consumption so significantly that it has saved more than £50,000 — funds that can now be redirected towards enriching pupils’ education.
Headteacher Helen Khinich said: “This road closure is the result of determination, partnership and a shared belief that our children - and local residents - deserve safe, clean spaces. We are incredibly proud of what our school community has achieved together with Brent Eleven Streets. From Kilburn Oasis to our solar panels and energy savings, sustainability is not just a project here, it’s part of who we are."
The road closure signals a transformative moment for the school and local area, demonstrating what can be achieved when schools and communities work hand in hand.