The LB Lewisham’s PSfC, using a different set of assumptions, works to 2017 and predicts a shortage of 3,325 primary school places, which amounts to a 15% deficit. The agreed PSfC identifies a strategy and capital programme for addressing this predicted shortfall by a combination of building new schools [Michael: one in the far north of Lewisham] and refurbishing and expanding existing schools in a number of locations across the borough.

Sir Steve warned: "The situation in Lewisham is very serious and will continue to be so until we get additional government funding to provide more primary places.

"We have opened 18 additional classes on time so that every child due to start reception this year has a place. This was only achieved through the hard work and commitment of Lewisham headteachers and governors.

"The birth rate in Lewisham is now around 4,800 a year and if 80 per cent of these children apply for a place in a Lewisham school, we will have 3,840 applications for 3,156 places each year. This is an unacceptable situation.

Recent figures have shown that there will be a considerable shortage of primary school places in the next few years across the whole of Lewisham. Whilst a new primary school is being provided in the very north of the borough, the remaining areas of the borough are likely to have a shortage of primary school places. This critical factor in the growth and sustainability of local communities has not been addressed in this document.
Additional sites should be found in the south of the borough for new primary schools, or physical expansion of existing schools, to provide adequate places for all children in the borough.

We would add an additional site that should be considered in this site allocations report. Greenvale school and the site of demolished Shackleton House on Perry Rise SE23. This ex-school site could provide additional educational opportunity for residents in SE23 / SE6.