“Government axing of Livingstone Academy will put pressure on school places”: EastSheenMatters disagrees

In a statement issued on 23 January 2026: “Richmond Council has warned that the Department for Education’s decision to axe the Livingstone Academy West London risks worsening pressure on secondary school places in the east of the borough – and is formally appealing in a bid to secure a rethink.

“The proposed free school would have addressed a clear and longstanding shortfall in local provision, following years of joint work between Richmond Council and the Aspirations Academies Trust to deliver a high-quality secondary school for local children.

“Councillor Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council, said: “This is a deeply disappointing proposal. For several years now, children in the east of our borough have missed out on being offered a secondary school place on National Offer Day because demand already exceeds supply. That is not a future risk – it is happening now.

“The Livingstone Academy would have provided much-needed capacity and real choice for families, particularly with significant housing growth planned locally. Decisions about school places must reflect the realities communities are facing on the ground.”

“While welcoming the government’s ambition to increase inclusive provision for children with special educational needs, the Council stressed this must not come at the expense of sufficient places for pupils without additional needs. Richmond Council also rejected the suggestion that unmet demand can be met by sending pupils to schools in neighbouring boroughs.

“Councillor Julia Cambridge, Chair of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “Families consistently tell us they want their children to attend school close to home, alongside friends and support networks. Expecting young people to travel out of the borough is not a realistic or fair solution – particularly given the continued closure of Hammersmith Bridge and the travel challenges that creates.

” “Livingstone Academy would have offered something genuinely distinctive, with a focus on technology and digital creativity that is not currently available in Richmond or neighbouring boroughs. That opportunity should not be lost lightly.”

The Council is urging Ministers to reconsider the decision. “Our priority is simple,” added Councillor Roberts. “Every child in Richmond deserves access to a local school place. We will continue to press government to work with us to make that happen.” “

This is quite contrary to information seeping out from Achieving for Children over the last few months. And see https://childlawobserver10.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=4601&action=edit

The above is of course Council speak and a repetition of the Achieving for Children evidence at the Inquiry. It ignores evidence given by local schools and other experts, and the feelings of the vast majority of the local community. See for example among many EastSheenMatters comments before and since the Inquiry https://childlawobserver10.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=1200&action=edit

In so far as children should benefit from this funding, it is money that needs to be used for special educational needs.

An appeal merely further extends the uncertainty hanging over local education and the use of the Stag Brewery site. It is difficult to escape the impression that even now the Council Leadership is engaged in denial and a desire for self justification. Or a determination to heighten political blame for the decision on central Government. Or the acquisition of central Government money. You have to wonder just what discussions there have been within the Council hierarchy. The statement refers to ‘risks’; have those risks been adequately weighed? Sadly we are unlikely ever to know the real motives.

The author of this post wishes to make it clear that he has ‘no skin in the game’ about whether an additional secondary school should be provided at the Stag Brewery site. It is improbable that EastSheenMatters will still be operating at a time when the first spade would enter the ground, if the Council is successful in its appeal. He has placed weight on the local traffic problems, so well observed by local residents, but ignored by the Council and the Inquiry Inspector. He has noted that from the start of EastSheenMatters reporting on the Inquiry, the vast majority of responses to his posts and discussions in the local community, as at the Inquiry, have been opposed to a secondary school, and no more than one or two supporting.

Above all having read and listened to the evidence of the parties, he considers that the weight comes down firmly against another school.