Schools may soon need to teach pupils in empty shops
Councils in several cities are drawing up plans to teach children in shops due to the shortage of primary school places
Talks have been held about the use of vacant offices as demands rise (Julian Andrews)
SCHOOLS will soon be forced to teach classes in empty shops as they struggle
to find space to deal with bigger intakes caused by Britain’s population
Councils are drawing up emergency plans to tackle the issue, which could also
see lessons in warehouses, magistrates’ courts and vacant office blocks.
In London, officials estimate that 70,000 extra primary school places will be
required by 2015, even after 240 classrooms, built to deal with rising
demand since 2010, open.
An investigation by The Observer newspaper shows the problem is also occurring
in Bristol, Bradford, Leeds, Reading and Southampton.
In the east London borough of Barking and Dagenham, the council is considering
“split shift” schooling in which classes would hold two separate school days
for different pupils; one between 7am and 1pm for the first “shift” and a
second from 2pm and 7pm.
Lobby group London Councils, says talks have been held