|
One of my top priorities in this job has been making sure every child in Southwark can have a good start in life. This week I wanted to explain why and to say thank you to everyone involved across our community.
The evidence is clear. Children who do well in their early years and childhood have a much higher chance of having a long, healthy, and happy life.
In Southwark we've started with the basics. Making sure no child goes hungry. Southwark Council has the most comprehensive free school meals offer in the country - for all of our nursery and primary school children, for more secondary school children and for children from low-income families in the holidays too. These meals aren't just stopping hunger. Research has shown they improve children's health, attention span, behaviour and attainment too.
We haven't stopped there. Twenty years ago Southwark had some of the worst-performing schools in the country. Now we have some of the best, with 96% rated good or outstanding.
We've increased funding for our children and family hubs too. With an extra £440,000 this year to make sure you can get the support you need during your child's early years.
We have also funded a new hub for preschool children with special educational needs and disabilities that will open soon. And this week we agreed plans to expand both Highshore and Cherry Gardens special schools, so we have the specialist places that local children need.
Healthy active play is vital for a good childhood too. We now have over 250 playgrounds in Southwark, far more than most other councils. We've invested over £5 million to upgrade them in recent years. The wonderful Elephant Springs, Ellen Brown, Fredericks, Dickens' Fields and Victory Park playgrounds being just a few examples.
We've also made sure children can get involved in sport. This week I officially opened our new Burgess Park Sports Centre, with its wonderful pitches and club house. Over recent years we've also invested in our Southwark Park Sports and Athletics Centre, Peckham BMX, Herne Hill Velodrome and Surrey Docks Fitness & Watersports Centre, with our new Canada Water leisure centre and pool opening this summer and a major upgrade to Marlborough Sports Garden on the way too.
We've worked especially hard to support vulnerable children. By improving support for families we have reduced the number of children who have needed to come into care by 19% over the last six years. In contrast across the rest of the country the number of children in care is going up.
Our work diverting children away from crime is working too, with reoffending by young people down by 18% over the last six years.
This journey hasn’t been easy. Over recent years we have seen a big fall in the number of young children in London. That's meant we have had to take the difficult decision to close some schools, including sadly two more this week. But we have done that because we want the best for local children. Schools in England are funded per pupil which means if classrooms are half-empty they get half the money, leaving them with enough to pay for the teacher and little else. By having the right number of local schools we can make sure they are full, so they can then afford all the extras needed for a great education.
There is much more I could list. The six new libraries we've opened so children (and adults) can be inspired by books and have space to study and more. The children's mental health support that we've rolled out to over 100 schools. The new buildings we've helped to deliver for Theatre Peckham and Mountview drama school, giving local children the chance to get involved in theatre, dance and music. Our work creating more apprenticeships than any other London borough, as well as scholarships and paid internships for local young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I want to say thank you to everyone involved in all of this work. The teachers, school governors, youth workers, sports and arts coaches, local community groups and everyone in the council's children's, youth and play services.
There is always more to do but today I want to celebrate all that we have achieved to give children in Southwark a great start in life.
Cllr Kieron Williams
Leader of Southwark Council
|
