This meeting took place on 18 September 2014. Read the transcript here.
London needs to create 133,000 more primary and secondary school places by 2018[1].
In its report published on Tuesday; London learners, London lives[2], the London Assembly Education Panel adds that the crisis will soon be acutely felt in the secondary school sector as thousands of additional 11 year olds look to secure places each year. While London has been in the vanguard for the creation of new free schools, few of these are secondary schools.
The panel meet tomorrow to receive an update on school places provision and the outlook for the projected shortfall over the long term.
The following guests will give evidence:
Frankie Sulke, Executive Director for Children and Young People, London Borough of Lewisham; and
Helen Jenner, Corporate Director of Children's Services, London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
In the second session members will discuss the impact of changes coming from the Children’s Act 2014 on the provision of support to children and young people with complex needs.
One in every five pupils has a special educational need and in London around 4 per cent of children have a Statement of Special Educational Need. There are growing numbers of children with autistic spectrum disorder which often requires specialist support. Funding for pupils with complex needs is also changing.
The following guests will give insights:
Tara Flood, Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for Inclusive Education;
Gary Redhead, Assistant Director – Schools, Planning and Resources, LB Ealing;
Holly Morgan-Smith, Project Manager - SEND Reforms, LB Ealing;
Gillian Bennell, Head of Special Services Planning, LB Wandsworth;
Lysanne Wilson, Director of Operations, YoungMinds;
A representative from Preparing for Adulthood.
The meeting will take place on Thursday 18 September from 2pm in Committee Room 5, at City Hall (The Queen’s Walk, London SE1).
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed via webcast.
Notes for Editors:
“Do the Maths – London’s school places challenge” – London Councils, July 2014.
London learners, London lives” (attached)
The Chair of the Education Panel, Jennette Arnold OBE AM is available for interview – see contact details below.
As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4504. For out-of-hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.