A new interactive online map of London is being launched today, which provides a uniquely detailed and comprehensive picture of London schools, current patterns of attendance and potential future demand for places across the capital.
Commissioned by the Mayor Boris Johnson, the London Schools Atlas enables teachers, parents, policymakers and others with an interest in education to build an overview of schools in the capital in a way that was not previously possible.
Covering primary and secondary provision, including academies and free schools, the London Schools Atlas for the first time uses data to illustrate current patterns of demand for places at a pan-London level, rather than within boroughs alone. It gives projected changes in demand from 2012 to 2017, helping users to obtain an indicative picture of where pressure on places might be in the future. The freely available resource can be found at www.london.gov.uk/london-schools-atlas and was developed by modelling data from a range of sources, some of which was not available to the public until now. It
The Mayor's 2020 Vision, published this summer, found that demographic pressure in London means that an extra 4,000 primary classes will be needed by 2020. It is at primary level that pressure will be most acute.
There were 696,000 children enrolled at state-funded primary schools in London in 2012. Greater London Authority projections show that this could increase by around 82,000 by 2017. Areas with new development are likely to see the largest increases in demand, including Barnet, Greenwich and Newham.
The Mayor is determined that these places should be in schools who take pride in academic excellence and whose ethos is to ensure a curriculum that stretches and inspires pupils, providing them with the knowledge and skills demanded by top universities and employers in a highly competitive global market. The Mayor wants to see councils, communities and parents set up new academies and free schools to meet this challenge. The atlas is an important tool in providing the information to do that.
With competition for places already in some areas, as well as concerns about how far pupils have to travel, the London Schools Atlas shows what areas pupils attending a particular school are drawn from and the extent of mobility between boroughs. It also provides information about the performance of schools.
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'We are putting information and transparency at the heart of schools planning in the capital. Whether you are a teacher, a policymaker or a parent, the London Schools Atlas provides a single authoritative resource for anyone concerned about education and seeking to understand the challenges of pupil numbers and places. This important new tool means that, for the first time, a range of information and data about school numbers, location, catchment areas and attainment is available in a way that is easy to use and to interpret.'
Munira Mirza, Deputy Mayor for Education and Culture, said: 'The London Schools Atlas brings data to life more graphically than ever before, making it easier than ever for more people to absorb the facts. We hope to encourage collaborative working between local authorities, academy providers and free school groups, and enable universities to better target their wider-access programmes. We also hope it will help London parents as they research places for their own children.
Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted's Chief Inspector, said: 'Children in London are able to enjoy some of the best education provision in England. There are some London boroughs where more than four-fifths of primary pupils receive a good or outstanding education, significantly more than other parts of the country. Ofsted's inspection reports, our Parent View questionnaire and the additional data and information we publish enable parents and carers to make informed choices about their local schools. This new service will very much complement the work which we already do.'
The London Schools Atlas has been developed as part of the Mayor's programme of initiatives aimed at driving up standards in education and ensuring there are enough good places for all children in the city. This includes establishing the multi-million pound London Schools Excellence Fund, which is supporting schools and other education providers to share expertise; a new schools unit to help groups wanting to set up free schools; and the 'Gold Club' scheme, which will celebrate exceptional schools in London that are succeeding with all their pupils – but especially the most disadvantaged – in different contexts.
On 22 November, the Mayor is organising a major education conference, with speakers and contributors from the UK and overseas. More details will be announced in due course. For information go to www.london.gov.uk/priorities/young-people, or to find out about registering, please email [email protected].
www.london.gov.uk/london-schools-atlas
Notes to editors
- The Mayor launched the Education Inquiry in November 2011, as an independent investigation into the successes and challenges for London schools. Chaired by the education commentator, former teacher and CEO of Generating Genius, Dr Tony Sewell, the inquiry consulted widely to build a comprehensive analysis of education in the capital, as well as making a number of recommendations to promote excellent teaching in all London schools; prepare young Londoners for life and work; and ensure every London child can be given a good school place.
- The inquiry found that London schools already perform very well against the national average. It showed that since 2004, London schools have outperformed the national average for achievement of 5 good GCSEs (including English and Maths) at Key Stage 4 (ages 14 to 16). It reported that 62 per cent of students in the capital achieve 5 GCSEs A*- C, including English and maths, compared to the national average of 58 per cent. However, 38% of London children left schools in 2012 without 5 good GCSEs and 20% of children started secondary school in September 2012 without reaching level 4 in English and Maths, at Key Stage 2.
- The Intelligence Unit at the Greater London Authority developed the London Schools Atlas in-house, modelling data from a range of sources.
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