School places
In response to the shortage of primary school places in Norwood, Lambeth Conservatives have proposed that a new primary school should be built on an empty site at the bottom of Knight’s Hill SE27. More places are also needed in other parts of the borough, especially in the south.
But Lambeth’s Labour councillors rejected their proposal and voted that the land should be used for storage warehouses instead.
“Hundreds of parents in Norwood are saying loud and clear: Norwood needs more primary school places,” says Suzanne. “Currently many local children are being denied a school place of their choice. Sometimes they aren’t offered a suitable place at all.”
Carl, Andrew and Suzanne have proposed that some of the land slated for light industrial use in Knights Hill should be re-designated as a site for a new primary school, thereby creating school places for kids across West Norwood.
These are sensible proposals, but Lambeth Labour voted them down.
Suzanne said: “Labour closed several primary schools down in 2002, including Norwood Park on Gipsy Road. New classes are now being opened, but it is too little and too slow. If we are to meet rising demand for school places we have to set aside land to open a new school; it’s plain common sense.”
Carl added: “Labour say we need the land between Norwood High Street and Knights Hill to provide employment space. But schools typically provide more jobs than a Cash and Carry or Yellow Box.”
Contact Suzanne to support our campaign on spoole@lambeth.gov.uk.
Kemi Adegoke, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Dulwich and West Norwood, said: “The message I hear from parents is consistent: Lambeth should put children’s education before yet more storage warehouses.”
Conservatives agree with the parents: We need to plan ahead and provide space for more schools. Nationally, the Conservative Party will support new schools, including schools set up by parents if they wish to do so. This has already happened in Lambeth (Elm Green School) – a UK “first” – and I
want to see more local initiatives such as that at Elm Green.
Only by getting rid of Labour can we have new thinking on school places.
School places: the facts
- A new school is planned just off Norwood High Street (near Travis Perkins) from around 2011, but it won’t be enough to fill the huge short fall in places.
- Suitable sites are scarce and securing permission for an additional school is vital now.
- If Labour continues to refuse, the chance of a new school in Norwood could be lost for generations once the land is developed.
