System for planning school places “essentially broken” says Hove MP

Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade says system is essentially broken as deadline for school places passes.

New analysis published by the Labour Party reveals the Government’s approach to planning for school places across the country is failing.

To cope with pressure on places, in Sussex alone, more than 26,000 primary children are being accommodated in super-size classes.

Mr Kyle said: “It is clear that the Government’s approach is not working for parents and children across Sussex.  Soaring numbers of children in the area will continue to be crammed into ever-expanding classes, as the only option left for many schools. Some families applying today will go straight onto a waiting list with no offer of any school place.

“The current system for planning new places is essentially broken. It is time for a parent/student-focused solution which will drive up standards, and put the urgent need for sufficient good school places in Sussex first.”

He continued: “In their 2010 manifesto, the Conservative Party promised to create “small schools with smaller class sizes” and David Cameron has said “The more we can get class sizes down the better”. Yet in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, West Sussex the number of pupils in classes of size 31-35 taught by one teacher is 26,325. The number of pupils in classes of size 36+ taught by one teacher is 988 and the number of pupils in key stage 1 classes of size 31-35 taught by one teacher is 3742.”