Controversial plans to slash the number of primary school places for Harold children were agreed by Havering's Cabinet despite huge protests from parents and pupils.
The massive shake up of primary school education will see more than 300 places for Harold children disappear before next September's intake if the council gets its way.
Harold schools are suffering from the falling birth rate and the ageing population and Town Hall education chiefs say something must be done about the number of surplus places which are swallowing up the schools' education budgets.
Lead member for education Cllr Joe Webster is confident their proposals will not lead to any school closures as some parents' groups had feared.
At Thursday's Cabinet he said: "The report recommends that the removal of spare places in these two areas (Harold Hill and Central Romford) can be achieved without closing schools. Provided they are accepted the worst fears of parents will be alleviated."
The cabinet proposed two options for reducing the surplus of school places in Harold Hill and promised a 'full and proper consultation' with parents and schools early next year before a finalised plan goes before cabinet in March.
The plans to reduce school places have caused uproar among parents, particularly at Broadford School, and led to Town Hall protests and the formation of a Broadford School Campaign Group who fear the proposals could lead to the closure of the school or the sale of playing fields for development.
Published Wednesday December 17, 2003
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