Camden Council will be holding a public meeting on Thursday 14th May 2009 at 6.30pm at Swiss Cottage School (please note this has changed from Belsize Library).
The purpose of this vitally important meeting is to discuss ways forward in the provision of primary schools in the area, notably Belsize ward does not currently have an LEA Community school, neighbouring Swiss Cottage having only one, which is a voluntary aided CE school.
From what I have been able to find out there would appear to be around 133 "Camden" parents who have not so far been able to obtain a School offer. The waiting list for nearby schools is increasing daily; waiting lists within 2km from Belsize are around 30 and up.
I have been told by Camden School Admissions that the situation this year is very concerning and appears to be worse than previous years.
In discussions and research that I have done both as a community activist and parent I can say that the deep "credit crunch" recession and worsening economy has had a marked effect. Many of the middle to higher income families that in the past would have selected private or independent schools are now electing to apply for a Community or Voluntary Aided schools. This unplanned "shift" adding to the local placement problem.
Author: Nigel Rumble 12th May 2009
