One of the most important issues for people with children in Redbridge is the need for more school places. Redbridge schools continue to be some of the very best around - for the third year running Redbridge was the best London Borough for GCSE results - which means there is a lot of demand in some parts of the Borough.

To help meet this need, Autumn 2007 will see the first pupils at two brand-new schools, Winston Way Primary and Cranbrook Primary at the Drive in Ilford. They will provide 210 places each year. Refurbishments and extensions have taken place at three other schools.

The council also won £38 million from the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme for improvements to Loxford School of Science and Technology which should be completed in 2009.

Redbridge has five SureStart Children’s Centres, with more to follow. These bring together services for children and young families, including providing childcare, health services (working with the Primary Care Trust) and advice. The Borough also won £600,000 in lottery funding to improve play services.

Over 60 venues offered adult education, whilst support for learning basic skills was available at all the libraries.

In 2007/08 we want to see exam results continue to improve, reduce the number of 14-19 year olds not in education, employment or training and develop a plan to ensure that Redbridge has enough secondary schools for the future.

“I know that the new school and its community facilities will be warmly welcomed by parents and children alike and make a real difference to the area.” 

Mark Mahoney, Head Teacher, Winston Way Primary School