Issue

School Place Shortage

37 stories · discussed at 198 council meetings · 32 councils

Councils are currently addressing the provision of special educational needs and disabilities support and the delivery of Education, Health and Care Plans.

Kingston upon Thames' Schools Forum discussed the 2026-27 finance update and the SEND Futures Plan in September 2026, approving the continuation of the cluster model for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) support. In July 2026, a report to Bexley's Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted a slight dip in the delivery of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within the statutory 20-week timeframe.

Bexley's Children's Services is also undergoing a transformation programme, the Future Bexley Children's Transformation programme, aiming for £1.98 million in savings by March 2027 through a commissioning redesign. This topic, concerning insufficient school places to meet demand, is scheduled for discussion at Bexley's Community Safety Scrutiny Project Sub Group and Hammersmith and Fulham's Licensing Sub-Committee on September 30, 2026.

Further discussions on the school place shortage are scheduled for Tower Hamlets' Housing & Regeneration Scrutiny Sub Committee on October 5, 2026. Hounslow's Cabinet Member Single Member Decision is also scheduled for October 6, 2026, where the topic will be on the agenda.

Key facts

  1. Bexley's Children's Services and Education Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted a slight dip in EHCP delivery in July 2026. Source
  2. Bexley's Future Bexley Children's Transformation programme aims for £1.98 million savings by March 2027. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 3

  1. Warwick Avenue Scheme Faces Scrutiny Over Rat Risk and Rough Sleeper Concerns Concerns over the potential for a new public realm scheme in Warwick Avenue to exacerbate existing problems with rats and rodents, as well as attract more rough sleepers, were... Westminster 24 April 2026
  2. Warwick Avenue public realm scheme cost rises to £3m The cost of Westminster City Council's Warwick Avenue public realm scheme has risen to £3 million, a significant increase from previous estimates. The Housing and Regeneration... Westminster 24 April 2026
  3. Civic Centre FF&E contracts awarded Haringey Council has awarded contracts for fixtures, fittings, and equipment (FF&E) for its new Civic Centre, a key step in the project to establish the council's new... Haringey 31 March 2026
  4. Mudchute Farm lease renewed for 30 years Tower Hamlets Council's Cabinet has approved a 30-year lease renewal for Mudchute Farm and Park, securing the long-term future of the popular city farm. The decision, made... Tower Hamlets 26 March 2026
  5. Barnet Council Enhances Care Leaver Transition Planning Following Ofsted Feedback Barnet Council is enhancing its transition planning for care-experienced young people, incorporating feedback from a recent Ofsted focused visit. The Children and Education... Barnet 14 March 2026
  6. Croydon Secures £2m Developer Funds for Transport Infrastructure Upgrades Croydon is set to benefit from over £2 million in developer funds secured through Section 106 agreements, aimed at enhancing the borough's transport infrastructure and... Croydon 10 March 2026
  7. Hillingdon Council Endorses New Community Safety Strategy Hillingdon Council's Cabinet has endorsed a new Community Safety Strategy for 2026-2029, outlining four key priorities to enhance safety across the borough. The strategy,... Hillingdon 22 February 2026
  8. North Ilford faces continued demand for school places despite borough-wide decline Redbridge faces a complex school provision challenge, with overall declining school rolls projected to create significant vacancies by 2032, yet persistent high demand in areas... Redbridge 20 January 2026