Children and young people
in this section
London's primary school places shortage
London Councils is lobbying the government to address the huge shortage of primary school reception places.
What caused the shortage?
London’s rapidly rising birth rate has contributed to the huge increase in numbers of school age children, especially compared to rates in other parts of the country.
The problem is exacerbated by the impact of the recession, which has meant that families with children who might otherwise have been educated in the private sector, or who may have moved to areas outside London, are instead looking to London borough schools.
Together, these factors have resulted in an increased demand for reception places beyond levels which councils could have predicted.
London Councils' campaign
London Councils coordinated a series of lobbying activities to bring the campaign to the government’s attention. The campaign attracted national media coverage
We set out the case for an emergency capital funding grant in the do the maths report, which was sent to the Minister for Schools in April 2009. It also called for a review of the government’s capital funding strategy for London in the forthcoming spending review, in order to find a sustainable long-term solution to this funding crisis.
On 28 April 2009 MPs, peers, councillors and directors of children’s services met in the House of Commons to discuss the places shortfall. The parliamentarians recognised the urgency of the situation and have pledged to support London Councils' campaign for emergency funding.
On 3 March 2009 Edward Davey MP (Kingston and Surbiton) held a parliamentary debate on the topic, at which London Councils provided briefing materials.
The Guardian (20 April): 'Baby boom and credit crunch brings shortage of primary school places in London'
Parliamentary briefing - primary school places
