We are running out of space - will your child have a school place by 2015?
The population is growing
Demand for school places is increasing as the population grows.
In the last five years applications have risen by 29 per cent and the birth rate has risen by 14 per cent - in Streatham and Norwood there has been a 25 per cent increase in birth rate.
We predict that in a few years, demand will greatly exceed the number of places available.
Many councils like us are struggling to cope without additional funding from Central Government and by 2015 we may not be able to offer a primary school place to every child that needs one.
What are the alternatives?
- We can have more children to a class - but we believe that is not conducive to learning.
- We can build temporary classrooms – but these are expensive, temporary and we are running out of space to put them.
- Children could cross boroughs to commute to school - but we are concerned that lengthy school journeys will put extra pressure on parents and will increase traffic on local roads.
- 'Free Schools' could be set up by parents in areas of real need – there is no guarantee of this happening.
Central Government has given us some money - but it's not enough
Central Government provides local councils with various funding for school places. Since 2006 Lambeth has received over £40 million for primary school places. In addition, the Government allocated resources in November.
Read the Government statement on primary place shortages.
To meet the immediate demand for primary places we are already in the process of creating 11 permanent additional forms of entry by 2012.
On 3 November the Government allocated £500 million to local authorities where rising pupil numbers is putting severe pressure on capacity. In the last year over 1000 local parents have told government how concerned they are about the future of primary provision and securing a space for their child.
Despite these efforts to urge Government to allocate a fair slice of this funding to Lambeth we received just £5 million. This is insufficient for even two additional forms of entry.
Read our response to the recent funding allocation to Lambeth.
Read London Council's response.
What happens now?
We are continuing to press Government to support our plans for creating more school places ahead of further funding decisions.
Through our work with headteachers, parents and governors we have projects that are ready to go; we need the capital to deliver them.
Our plans would create the extra places we need but this requires £50 million from Government to give stability to the primary school system.
What can you do?
Option 1 - email in support
Email the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, explaining why this issue is important to you.
Using the link above will open a pre-populated email which you can edit.
We have copied in our Stakeholder Relations Manager, rbilimoria@lambeth.gov.uk, so we have a record of how many of you have sent an email in support of our position.
Option 2 - email in opposition
Email the Secretary of State for Education, the Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, and tell him you disagree with the council's position on primary school places.
Using the link above will open a pre-populated email which you can edit.
We have copied in our Stakeholder Relations Manager, rbilimoria@lambeth.gov.uk, so we have a record of how many of you have sent an email in opposition to our position.
Option 3 - nothing
Leave it to us to get on with.
More information
If the above email links don't work for you?
The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP's email is sec-of-state.ps@education.gsi.gov.uk. Please copy in rbilimoria@lambeth.gov.uk so we have a record of how many of you have sent emails.
The suggested text in support of our position is:
Dear Michael Gove MP
The growing Lambeth school-age population means a significant increase in primary school places will be needed in the future.
Lambeth Council has taken steps to meet the immediate demand for primary places and is already funding projects to increase spaces but they can't do it alone.
To meet future demand, the council needs £50 million investment from Central Government over two years.
I know that times are tough and money is scarce but what better investment than the start of a child's education.
The suggested text in opposition to our position is:
Dear Michael Gove MP
Lambeth Council is arguing that they are running out of primary school places and they have written to ask you for more money to invest in school places.
I want to let you know that I disagree with them. In today's tough economic environment, we have to think differently about how we spend what little money we have. While I agree that education is important, we can solve this problem by making class sizes bigger.