Free schools opening in Waltham Forest fail to address the shortfall in primary school places, says Labour Assembly Member Jennette Arnold OBE AM.

It was announced last week that four new free schools would open in the borough in September next year, but only one is to be a primary school.

Waltham Forest is one of 16 boroughs in London that fall into the ‘severe’ category, described by the National Audit Office as meaning primary school places are projected to fall short by more than five per cent by 2014/15.

Ms Arnold, London Assembly Member for Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest, said: “It is baffling as to why the Government has agreed to primary level free schools in boroughs where they do not have a shortage of school places, yet Waltham Forest has to fight the Government to get the funding it needs to ensure school places for every child.

“Waltham Forest is facing an incredible amount of pressure to provide school places but the Government has neglected to allocate London a fair share of funding to meet the increasing demand.

“This is irresponsible and children in London deserve better.

She added that pupil numbers in London are growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in the UK and that long-term investment was needed to ensure every child has a school place.

Across London only seven of the 16 primary level free schools are to be opened in boroughs in ‘severe’ need of places.