Millions of pounds is set to be spent on 11 schools in the capital as part of a Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

The government has agreed up to £52million in PFI Credit funding, which is to be used to increase the number of classes per year in the borough's schools.

PFI schemes operate on the basis that a private company carries out the building work, provides services and then charges the local education authority for their use.

It usually works out in the long run to be more expensive than the council doing the work itself but saves money in the short term.

It is planned that Larkswood Infant and Junior schools in Chingford will become a three-form entry and may merge.

Dawlish Primary, Leyton, could expand to a two-form entry with a nursery and governors are being consulted.

There are plans for a long-term reduction to three-form entry at Chase Lane Junior and Infant schools, Chingford, and the possibility of an amalgamation of the two.

Church Mead Infant School, Leyton, is planning for four-form entry requirements but with the possibility to change to a two-form entry primary.

Edward Redhead Junior and Infant schools, Walthamstow, may both have three-form entry requirements and amalgamate.

There are plans to increase Jenny Hammond School, Leytonstone, from one-form entry to two-form entry with a nursery.

McEntee Secondary School, Walthamstow, could change to six-form entry but governors at the school are proposing City Academy status, which would result in its removal from the PFI process.

Much improved Heathcote School, Chingford, is also set for six-form entry.

There is also a set of reserve schools for the scheme.

These are George Mitchell Secondary, Leyton, Aveling Park Secondary and Warwick Boys Secondary, both in Walthamstow.

November 22, 2001 12:30