A new secondary school for our area has been approved by the government after two years of hard campaigning by local parents, with over 1500 choosing the Charter School to be the provider as opposed to national academy chains. But the shortage of school places continues to be a major concern for local parents.

Initially 120 new places are being offered, rising to 240 in 2018 when the school moves into its permanent site in the grounds of the old East Dulwich Hospital.

This is good news. East Dulwich and College are currently among the four worst wards in Southwark for providing places for children at their school of choice; the new school will ease this situation. However, there will be a need for a further 180 school places locally by 2018 and many local parents will still be forced to send their children to schools out of the area.

The campaign for a second community-centred secondary school in Southwark has to begin now!