London Learners, London Lives

The growth of London’s population means there is increasing pressure on school places.

At the same time there is rising demand for youngsters to develop skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as modern foreign languages.

Although the Mayor of London has no statutory responsibility for education in the capital, he has identified those two main drivers for future education provision.

The London Assembly Education Panel's report "London Learners, London Lives" reviews what actions the Mayor has taken to help tackle the school places crisis facing the capital and his role in supporting schools to raise standards.

The report also looks at the challenge for London government in holding schools to account and in tackling poor performance as provision across the sector becomes more diverse.

The Panel's recommendations include;

The Mayor should set out a strategic pupil places needs assessment, mapping down to ward level the projected need for new school places at primary and secondary level. This should be incorporated within the Schools Atlas.

The Mayor should map out a land and asset availability assessment to provide options for meeting the need for new school places, with a particular focus on secondary schools.

The Mayor should request the OECD to develop a new set of international city comparators so that London can more effectively benchmark its own attainment and achievement levels.

The Mayor should draw together performance data (attainment and achievement) for all schools in London and publish this in his next Annual report.

The report "London Learners, London Lives. Tackling the school places crisis and supporting children to achieve the best they can" is attached below.