Ealing Council received 450 more applications for reception places this year than last year.

Parents are being informed from today as to whether they got their first choice or not.

The Council say everyone who applied on-time has been offered a place - but haven't revealed how many got their chosen school.

11 primary schools are being expanded to ensure there are enough places for children starting reception this September, and, as more parents move into the area, or submit late applications for this September’s intake, it may be necessary to create more places.

Ealing is currently experiencing one of the highest birth rate increases in London with 33% more babies born in 2010/11 than in 2001/2 and reception applications are expected to keep rising in the next few years.

In addition more local families than ever before are opting for a local state school for their children. Both factors have created additional demand for local primary schools.

The pressure is particularly acute in Acton, South Ealing and parts of Greenford. The council has been working with schools in these areas, and across the borough, and 11 have agreed to temporarily expand to meet local need. Some of these schools may be expanded permanently in the future.

Each of the following schools has agreed to take an extra reception class of 30 students in September temporarily creating 330 extra places (the equivalent of 11 extra classrooms) for the next academic year:

* Drayton Green Primary School, West Ealing
* East Acton Primary School, Acton
* Horsenden Primary School, Greenford
* Oaklands Primary School, Hanwell
* St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Hanwell
* St Raphael's Catholic Primary School, Northolt
* Southfield Primary School
* Vicar's Green Primary School, Perivale
* West Acton Primary School, Acton
* West Twyford Primary School, Acton
* Willow Tree Primary School, Northolt

In addition to these temporary expansions, the council has permanently expanded 18 existing schools since 2008 and the new Holy Family Catholic Primary School will welcome its first 60 pupils this September. This has created 585 new school places (the equivalent of 19.5 classrooms),

In addition, the council will submit its planning application this month for a new primary school for the Priory site on Acton Lane, creating places for an extra 60 pupils in the 2013/14 academic year.

David Archibald, Executive Director Children and Adults, said: ”Ealing Council has been investing in local primary schools for several years now and, despite significant increases in demand, we are managing to provide enough spaces.”

“As well as creating the extra places where needed, we are also talking to the Department for Education about the need for future funding and to our neighbouring boroughs about how we can work together to make sure that we best meet local need.”

 

18th April 2012