Tag Archives: education

Local community schemes come up trumps in Lambeth council funding announcement

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A group which works to save children and young people in Myatt’s Fields from educational failure and other effects of social problems is the big winner in a list of cash awards worth almost a quarter of a million pounds, announced by Lambeth council.

XLP, which supports young people in Lambeth facing challenges like family breakdown, unemployment, and educational failure, often in areas impacted by antisocial behaviour and gang violence, will get £156,814.

The organisation, which works alongside bodies including St Gabriel’s School in Myatt’s Fields, focuses on creating positive futures through long-term relationships and belief in change, regardless of background. Initiatives include a school exclusion reduction programme, mentoring, sports and arts and a mobile youth centre. Read about XLP here.

Three other local community projects are celebrating their share of the combined windfall from the Borough’s Community Connections fund.

Breath Arts Health Research — £77,000. Breath are world leaders in combining creativity and scientific research to improve health and wellbeing in communities. The Melodies for Mums programme aims to support new mothers in Brixton and Stockwell experiencing postnatal depression or low mood. This free, 10-week group singing initiative, delivered in local community settings including the Liz Atkinson Children’s Centre, has been proven to improve mental health, boost confidence, and strengthen social connections. More details here.

Longfield Hall Trust — £10,000. The famous local landmark bid will receive the funding injection to help continue it’s work in the community: read about the Hall’s work here.

The Remakery – £9,995. This renowned sustainability organisation which includes a collection of workshops and community space in Lilford Rd will use the grant to support its ongoing community outreach work. Read more about this project here

Community Connections encourages initiatives set up to make our borough fairer and safer — more details can be found here.

Cllr Annie Gallop and Cllr Paul Gadsby said:

“It’s great to see Lambeth stepping in and putting our cash where it’s going to have a significant effect on the lives of many vulnerable people. We’re also please to see big financial boosts for organisations which have been working to improve lives in our neighbourhoods for many years.”

More than a decade of Tory cuts leaves Myatt’s Fields school £2 million worse off

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Parents and pupils in Myatt’s Fields have been on the end of cuts of more than £2 million since 2010, according to a new campaign launched by teachers’ leaders.

The shocking figures are contained in a new analysis of education funding since the Tories, aided by their Lib Dem allies, came to power in 2010. It reveals that:

  • Christ Church Primary School on Cancell Road has had its budget reduced by £276,710 since 2010, a drop of £1,520 per pupil.
  • Van Gogh Primary School has had its budget cut by £416,487, with a reduction of £1,281 per pupil.
  • St Gabriel’s College has lost a staggering £1.7million from its a budget, over £2,700 per pupil.
  • Overall, schools in Lambeth have lost over £41 million in funding since the Tories began slashing budgets.

Local councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“These cuts lay bare the awful impact of more than a decade of Tory austerity: cut after cut has had a direct impact on the education of local children.

“We will continue to campaign for a better deal for our local schools, and for a Labour government that properly funds our local schools.”

Myatt’s Fields councillors welcome Sadiq Khan’s free school meal pledge

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A pledge by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to continue providing funding for free school meals for all primary school children should he be re-elected for a third term at this May’s election has been welcomed by local Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop.

The programme funds 1.4 million free school meals every week in London. The councillors said:

“This scheme is a lifeline to many children in Myatt’s Fields, especially as many families are continuing to struggle from rising bills. At a recent roving surgery on Vassall Road, residents were delighted at Sadiq’s vow.”

Sadiq Khan said:

“Delivering free school meals has been one of my proudest moments as mayor as I have seen the difference it has made to the children receiving them and to their families.

“I know from personal experience what a difference these meals can make and it’s been fantastic to hear from teachers how much better children are performing and also how much parents and their children have benefited, with parents not having to worry about how to provide their children with a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day.”

You can find out more information about the pledge here.

This year’s Mayoral election will take place on Thursday 2 May: don’t forget to register to vote here.

Vauxhall MP Flo Eshalomi with local councillor Paul Gadsby and some of the Myatt’s Fields campaign team out and about listening to residents in our communities.

New move to ensure childrens’ road safety close to a Myatt’s Fields school

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Local children will be protected from speeding vehicles near a local school under plans tabled by Lambeth Council.

The “school street” initiative for Christ Church school is part of a borough wide programme that has been in operation for a number of years. Your local Labour team has been pressing for the inclusion of the school following representations from parents and residents.

Under the scheme, some nearby streets are temporarily closed at times when pupils are arriving or leaving schools — the beginning and the end of the academic day. The details are to be confirmed, but the council has set a likely starting date for Christ Church of May next year, probably briefly shutting Cancell Road between Elliot Road and Eythorne Road.

Myatt’s Fields councillors Paul Gadsby and Annie Gallop said:

“This is a good step by Lambeth Council which we do welcome: residents have been pressing for sometime for the area around Christ Church to be made safer for children during peak times for the school. We would like to thank everyone who has been in touch with us about this issue.”

Councillor Rezina Choudhary, Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, commented:

“Cllr Paul Gadsby and Cllr Annie Gallop have made it very clear to the council that more needs to be done to tackle the traffic problems around Christ Church School which have been a cause of real concern for local parents.

“We have listened to their lobbying, and believe a school street will be a significant step towards protecting local children and reducing traffic around the school at peak times. We do realise there is a lot still to be done across Myatt’s Fields, including addressing the congestion issues on Loughborough Road and dangerous driving around Myatt’s Park, the Myatts North and South estates. We’ll continue to work with councillors and residents on all of these challenges, especially as the borough has announced a substantial package of funding for the area.”