I’ve been reflecting on my visits to ED Harris Boys Academy, Kingsdale School and Goodrich School.

In southern Southwark Kingsdale School being close to the southern point of Southwark admits around 50% Southwark kids. The remainder come from Lambeth and Lewisham.

Sadly quite a few SE22 kids failed to get places at a Southwark secondary school and this year were offered places at unpopular schools even as far away as New Cross in Lewisham.

It would be impossible to change Kingsdale admissions policy to favour by geography without fewer kids coming from Southwark which would exacerbate existing problems.

Suggestion:
That the space vacated by temporary ED Harris Boys School on the Langbourne primary school site is formerly incorporated into Langbourne School on condition that it becomes an academy incorporated into Kingsdale Academy. This would allow Langbourne a relatively remote Primary school to increase its reception intake by 1 whole reception class of 30 children.

As part of the same academy Kingsdale could propose admissions changes to favour Langbourne year 6 children.

Incorporating Langbourne would help give Kingsdale the land it wishes. Tying Langbourne into Kingsdale for admissions would dramatically increase Langbourne’s popularity.

The Kingsdale chair of governors is Lab Cllr Norma Gibbes and I proposed this to her and the Kingsdale head at the end of my visit.

To make it happen the Labour administration would need to transfer land to Langbourne. Langbourne school agreeing and Kingsdale agreeing. But the biggest hurdle will be the local community fed promises in the past and that needs to feel part of this.

What do you think?