School places

A massive increase in the number of infants in Kingston has led me this week to launch a new campaign – to demand national Government provides more investment for new and expanded primary schools, as well as funds for those places and the extra nursery places also needed.

What’s the problem?

In the last 6 years, London’s birth rate has rocketed – by nearly 16%. Kingston’s increase is London’s fifth highest, at 22.5%.

As significantly, for every 100 four year olds, the number whose family want a state primary school place has increased sharply in Kingston – from around an average of 79 in the decade to 2006 to around 89 in 2008 – with other London Boroughs reporting similar trends. A huge and sudden shift.

There are various theories for this, though with independent schools still full, the most plausible seems to be private schools not expanding with population growth, coupled with the popularity of Kingston schools and housing market trends.

Kingston Council last September and next is providing temporary “bulge” classes to cope, but must soon devise and consult on a strategy for providing permanent new classes: this rise will clearly continue.

That means new primary schools and expanding existing schools.

And money. Across all London Boroughs, the extra funds over the next 5 years to tackle this has just been estimated at an eye-watering £720 million.

It’s why I’ve been raising this in Parliament for the last 9 months, liaising with London Councils and meeting local parents.

If you’re interested in joining my campaign to win this cash from Ministers, please contact me by completing my contact form or call 8288 0161.