Schools use 1,200 'cabin' classrooms

Jason Beattie Political Correspondent|Evening Standard

13 April 2012

Tens of thousands of children in London are being taught in temporary classrooms, according to new figures.

The cost of bringing all the capital's schools up to scratch now stands at more than ?1billion. The figures, provided by the Department for Education and Skills, show that:

There are more than 1,211 makeshift or temporary buildings being used by London schools.
Among London boroughs, Bexley has 174 temporary school buildings, Harrow 146, and Ealing 119.
Outside London, the situation is worse. In Kent there are 912 temporary-school buildings, in Essex 742 and in West Sussex 336.
It is estimated that 36,000 pupils are being educated in sub-standard surroundings despite government warnings that poor conditions can impede academic progress.
It will take more than ?1billion to clear the repairs backlog over the next five years.

Sarah Teather, Lib-Dem spokeswoman for London, said classroom conditions were a scandal, adding: "Labour has a duty to the city's children-to educate them in a proper environment." A recent government paper, Building Schools for the Future, illustrated the link between classrooms and results, stating: "Around 2,000 new classrooms have allowed infants to be taught in smaller classes. These investments have supported big improvements in literacy and numeracy."

Today's figures were revealed in a House of Lords written answer. A DfES spokesman said ?4.9million would be spent on new school buildings over the next three years.

Bexley council said the figure for the borough was misleading as it included stores and garages.

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