At the Cabinet meeting on 14 October, Barking and Dagenham Council approved a £24.4million schools capital investment programme, to ensure it meets the demand for school places across primary, secondary, and Special Educational Needs (SEND) settings in the borough.
This capital investment plans outline new government grants, proposed capital projects, partnership arrangements, and ongoing programmes to ensure the borough’s school system is addressing the needs of Barking and Dagenham.
A key focus of the investment is addressing the growing demand for SEND provision. The number of Education Health Care Plans (EHCPs) has nearly doubled since 2018.
To meet this need, the council is expanding Riverside Bridge Special School over two sites, completing the new Oxlow Bridge Special School, and upgrading facilities at Trinity Special School and others. These projects reflect the borough’s inclusive ethos and commitment to supporting every learner.
This will build on the borough’s pioneering, nationally recognised Additional Resource Provision (ARP) model which is part of mainstream schools and delivering strong outcomes for hundreds of children with SEND.
The council has also secured £217,000 through the London Mayor’s Greener Schools Programme to install solar panels and LED lighting, reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. Barking Abbey School is set to benefit from the Department for Education’s Schools Rebuilding Programme, with major upgrades planned from 2026.
The investment comes at a time of significant education transformation in Barking and Dagenham. The borough’s 2025 A-Level and GCSE results bucked national trends by being the best they’ve ever been excluding the pandemic years. Many young people secured placements with competitive top third universities or prestigious apprenticeships, with pathways to careers in medicine, law, engineering, and the arts.
The borough continues to lead the capital in allocating pupils to their first-preference schools:
96.25% for primary and 87.6% for secondary, well above London averages.
Councillor Elizabeth Kangethe, Cabinet Member for Educational Attainment and School Improvement said: “We’re incredibly proud of our inclusive schools with 98% rated as Good or Outstanding by OFSTED. Staff across the borough have worked tirelessly to support students through changing times, from managing rising SEND demand to supporting pupils through key transitions in their education journey.
“This vital capital investment programme will ensure we continue building on our young peoples’ successes and provide a school system that meets the needs of Barking and Dagenham. It’s part of our determination to deliver outstanding education for every young person in our borough.”