School places shortage fears

9:57am Tuesday 19th June 2001

NEARLY 200 Bromley pupils could be left without school places because of an invasion of youngsters from other boroughs, according to a council education chief.

Primary and secondary provision manager Marion Robeson says an influx of 900 outsiders had left only 2,800 state school places available to 3,250 children from the borough.

She said about 270 of the 2,800 youngsters would find places in the private sector but that would leave at least 180 children with nowhere to go.

“Theoretically, there are enough places but because of a law known as the Greenwich Rules we cannot stop parents from outside the borough applying to Bromley,” she added.

“Because Bromley schools have a good reputation, parents from Croydon, Lewisham, Bexley and Greenwich want to send their kids here.

“We're a victim of our own success.”

She added: “We have been talking to some secondary schools to ask them to increase their capacity and we have five weeks to sort it out before the term ends.

“We intend to build a new school by 2003 but we have a duty to make sure every child has place this year. How we will do this is not yet known.

“Most parents are being patient even though it is frustrating for them.”

One of the parents whose child has been left without a place is Stephen White, 35, of Chatsworth Avenue, Bromley.

His son Billy was offered a place at faraway Kelsey Park, in Manor Way, Beckenham, though the nearest school is The Ravensbourne, Hayes Lane, Bromley.

Mr White said: “Billy would have to take two buses and walk a mile to get to Kelsey Park, which would take him an hour-and-a-half.

“Taking into account the start at 8.40am, that is totally unacceptable and I will not send him there.”

He added: “It is absolutely disgusting people from outside the borough should get priority.

“I believe the local authority should have more power over the selection process because the stress this causes to parents is unbelievable.”

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