My constituents will know that I have a keen interest in education affairs, something that goes back to my time as a councillor. While on Hillingdon Council, I served as Cabinet Member for Education and, engaging with the Building Schools for the Future programme in that time, I have seen schools close and other schools open as demand in Hillingdon has risen and fallen over time.
There has constantly been a cycle of variation in the number of places required in London, so I was glad to have the opportunity to speak in today’s debate on this subject. As I mentioned in my speech, one area of emerging challenge is in respect of SEND places.
As colleagues also remarked, this is a vital sector; one that defines the life chances for many children across the country. I have heard recently from a number of local SEND providers of the challenges that they face with funding. This comes despite research undertaken by London Councils to show that while demand for school places on the whole is falling (15% in Hillingdon alone), SEND demand continues to rise.
Concluding my remarks, I focused on what steps should be taken to support pupils, teachers, and parents right across London. My first ask was that Ministers reconsider their approach to working with local authorities – allowing flexibility with the funding budgets. Secondly, I asked them to again work with local government to allow for greater strategic planning when dealing with the provision of SEND places. Finally, I asked Minister present in the debate to bear in mind the inevitable swing in population size in the capital to ensure that we are ready for future population growth.
If you would like to watch my contribution to the debate, you can do so here (14:51:27).
