Greenwich faces 300 primary school place shortage
3:15pm Friday 20th May 2011 in Where I Live By Mark Chandler
Greenwich Council has been accused of incompetence as it struggles to cater for 300 extra primary pupils by next September.
In a cabinet meeting this week, it was revealed 10 extra forms of entry in the borough’s primary schools were required to deal with a rising population.
It highlighted Thamesmead, Plumstead, Woolwich, Charlton and West Greenwich as areas most in need of more places. Parts of the borough currently have no vacancies in reception classes and very few in Years 1 and 2.
A £27.8m strategy of school expansion and temporary “modular” classrooms was agreed to meet the demand, with an extra Thamesmead school also planned.
Mum-of-two Mary Pfeiffer, who is setting up her own Shooters Hill Primary School of Arts, said she was surprised, having been told by the council that the borough had enough places.
She said: “This is something that frustrates me.
“One of the main reasons for wanting to set up the free school is parents have been having issues trying to get children into their choices.
“My children are now in Bexley - we couldn’t find a place in Greenwich for them to go.”
Leader of Greenwich Conservatives Councillor Spencer Drury said: “The fact Labour have known that this increase in population is coming means their failure to plan for extra schools is completely inexplicable.
“We are going to spend a huge sum of money providing stacks of temporary classrooms which are going to mean reduced playground sizes for larger schools.
“While I know teachers will work hard to try to reduce the effect of this overcrowding, I think it is likely Labour’s incompetence will damage the education our youngest children receive.”
A spokesman for Greenwich Council said: "Greenwich Council is committed to expanding primary school places as part of a long-term process to ensure that school places are sufficient to meet demand in the light of population trends.
"Our planning has helped ensure that so far there have been adequate primary places for all those applying.
"A £6.5m investment programme in new and improved buildings took place during 2010/11 and a further investment programme of £27.8m is being developed.
"This total investment will increase capacity in the reception year from 3247 at the start of the 2010/11 school year to 3562 by 2014.
"A decision, as part of this investment programme, to proceed with additional primary school places at four primary schools is now the subject of a call-in. This will be considered by the Council’s
Overview and Scrutiny Call-in Sub-Committee on May 24 and it is not appropriate to comment further." 
PRIMARY PLANS
Foxfield, Woolwich - rebuilding and expansion plus modular classrooms.
Bannockburn, Plumstead - using former Churchfield School as annex for extra pupils.
Heronsgate, Thamesmead - Remodelling buildings to increase capacity plus use of old school building on Burrage Grove.
Hawksmoor, Thamesmead - modular classrooms pending longer term rebuilding.
Alexander McLeod, Abbey Wood - modular classrooms
St Thomas a Becket, Abbey Wood - modular classrooms
Discovery, Thamesmead - modular classrooms
In negotiations with schools in Charlton, Woolwich and Greenwich for expansions.
Abbey Wood Nursery School/Children’s Centre - more modular classrooms.
Willow Dene School, Plumstead - A report will be brought forward to help deliver a £12.6m rebuilding of the school’s rundown facilities.
Linja says...
1:30pm Sat 21 May 11