School places: Big expansion in Newham

by Colin Grainger , Editor Friday, October 5, 2012
4:00 PM

All the children who have applied for places at Newham schools have been successful.

All the children who have applied for places at Newham schools have been successful.

Almost 5,350 youngsters successfully sought entry to primary schools and 3,949 to secondary schools – making Newham one of the top councils for placing pupils in the capital.

Newham Council’s Cllr Quintin Peppiatt, executive member for children and young people, said: “This is a stunning success story for Newham and it is down to a lot of hard work by our schools and head teachers, teachers and staff. They should be congratulated on all their hard work.

“Our unique approach of working with our pupils, and investing in their futures and our schools has paid off.

“Meanwhile, our pupils have achieved some of the best grades in the country meaning that many of our schools will be above the national average. This proves that all students whatever their challenges can succeed and we want to continue to improve on these results year on year.

“Our schools continue to improve year on year and it is a testament to not only their hard work but that of all our pupils too. These young people have such bright futures ahead of them.”

The borough continues to invest in its schools. Completed construction projects include redeveloping and expanding Dersingham and Sheringham Schools in Manor Park to add some 630 permanent places. It has also redeveloped and expanded Brampton and Vicarage Primary Schools and Langdon School in East Ham to add about 1050 additional primary places. Curwen school, in Plaistow, has been totally rebuilt and expanded to provide an extra 210 places.

Works have also just completed at Avenue Primary School in Manor Park to increase the school by some 210 pupils in permanent accommodation.

Newham has added some 1700 extra permanent places from completed construction projects which have become available from the start of the new school term from September 2012.

Works have recently started at Gallions Primary School in Beckton to expand the school by a further 210 places. This is due to complete in Spring 2013. Work is also in progress at the Upton Park Primary School to provide an additional 630 permanent places.

Construction works for other schools expansion projects are planned to take place from Spring 2013. Once proposed programmes of works are completed Newham, will have put in place a more than 7,300 new primary school places since 2008