Havering Council Asked To Agree A £66m Investment In Schools And Early Years.

Havering Council’s Cabinet is being asked to agree a £66 million investment in schools and early years settings across Havering to meet the rising number of children and young people in the borough.

The proposals, which makes up Phase 5 of a borough-wide school and early years expansion programme, will ensure Havering schools and early years settings are able to meet the demand from the rapidly increasing number of Early Years, Primary, Secondary and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) pupils. 

The £66 million investment will be funded by a combination of government allocations, funding brought forward from earlier phases, and Section 106 (S106) contributions from housing developments. 

The proposals include the opening of two nursery schools for 2-4 year olds, which will coincide with the Government’s expansion of the 30 hours childcare entitlement.

In addition to the new Primary schools currently planned to open in Havering (at Beam Park and Bridge Close), the programme proposes permanent and temporary expansions to a number of primary and secondary schools to meet this increased demand. 

There are also proposals for increased funding for SEND units at selected schools to address the rising need for additional support, as well as plans to increase capacity at Lime Academy Forest Approach.

These are in addition to plans for a 300 place special school on Balgores Lane, which was announced earlier this week. 

Havering has the second highest growth in 0-4 year olds of all local authorities in the country. Between 2002 and 2016, Havering saw a 52 per cent increase in the number of births. In 2023/24, in-year Primary school applications rose by 13 per cent. 

Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: 

“Havering is a great place to live and to raise a family, and it is our responsibility to ensure we give those families and their children the best opportunities in life.

“Despite the extreme financial pressures the Council is facing due to a severe lack of Government funding, coupled with the rapid increase in our younger population, this is an investment we need to make to give those young people a solid, safe and nurturing education.”

The proposal will go to Cabinet on Wednesday 22 January. You can read the cabinet papersonline.

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