The big campaigning event of yesterday was a street stall we organised in Beckenham High Street. I am very grateful that a large number of members turned up; just a few of them were photographed as most people were scattered up and down the street. After it was over some of us ended up in the George Inn for lunch. During the event I met several young parents with children who were a little concerned about getting their kids into Bromley’s excellent primary schools. They asked me for my views which I gave.
Obviously schooling matters especially to parents but actually to all of us because we need to have a future society as educated as possible. Right now I personally have one child at university, two at Langley Park Boys School and one at Langley Park Girls. Our local schools are of a very high standard – many graded ‘Outstanding’ by OFSTED. Indeed the quality of education here is one reason why the Borough of Bromley is such a popular place for young families.
But that popularity brings its problems too. Last year was a surprising boom year for babies in Bromley; about 4,800 births were registered here although some of them may well live outside the borough. Right now we have about 4,100 places for children in their first year of primary school. Yet Bromley Council has a statuary duty to provide schooling so obviously all these additional children will require places in primary schools within 4 years – and, in due course, secondary schools too.
The average size of primary school classes is around thirty – maybe a few more – but I am told that is about the maximum a teacher can deal with effectively. Simple maths therefore suggests we could need quite a few more first year of entry classes in Bromley by 2019 if all last year’s babies ask for local education. Indeed across London the Capital needs to find an additional 130,000 such places.
Clearly Bromley Council is aware of the problem and Councillor Stephen Wells, Portfolio Holder for Education, is doing all he can in anticipation of this increase of the need for primary school places. That does mean though that we must expect to see some new school builds and existing schools increasing numbers in years of entry.
There has already been considerable resistance to some proposed new school sites – even on brown field developments and indeed within existing school boundaries. The dilemma is as follows. Parents with children normally want them educated near their homes – perhaps so they can walk to school. I have heard of one child living in Shortlands who travels to primary school in Biggin Hill every day! Yet, many (not all) who are not or no longer parents of young children, don’t want a new school near their houses.
I think this is going to prove a major local issue over the next few years and I thought I would highlight it here. Obviously Bromley Council are more than aware of it but it will certainly not be an easy fix.