Today was the day that the news London parents have been crossing their fingers about was announced – primary school admissions. Today was also the day that I met Siobhan Benita, independent candidate for London Mayor. It seemed fitting then that I should ask Siobhan how, if she was elected, she would tackle the issue of more school places and choices for London families.

According to the Pan-London Admissions Board up to a third of children in parts of the capital failed to secure their preferred primary school. As a parent, and one who has recently gone through the whole nightmare that is primary school admission procedure, I know how upsetting, frustrating and helpless the limitations of the C Word (catchment) feels. At school this morning I heard about one family whose child did not get into any of their preferred schools and will instead face a 20 minute car journey every morning and evening to get to school.

So anyway, as I mentioned, today I met with Siobhan Benita, independent London mayoral candidate. It’s not the kind of thing that I do often – make that ever. Benita was at our local library speaking as an independent candidate who sees the benefits in keeping our independent (and finally efficient) library open rather than Croydon Council’s idea of closing it. So, it was as a member of the Save Upper Norwood Joint Library committee, that I came to be brushing shoulders with Benita, the New York Times and Croydon TV.

What can I tell you about Siobhan Benita? Well, she seems very nice, very friendly, into cuddling babies, and importantly very stylish (c’mon we’ve had all those years of Boris’ big hair). For those interested she was wearing a green, pleated skirt and some very lovely suede heels (rather risky considering the April showers). Not only is she on-trend but things are looking good for her in the Mayoral race. She’s currently 20/1 favourite to win – good work. Benita is also a working mum who ditched her role at Whitehall to run as an independent candidate.

Being a mum, Benita has probably faced the same problems that many of today’s parents are waking up to and perhaps that’s the reason why she has made education her priority. A quick look on Siobhan Benita’s site will tell you that, if elected, she would ensure that 167 new primary schools are built by 2015 to cater for the deficit of 70,000 places. Taking a comfy seat in the library (those shoes were now digging in) Benita told me that she also wants to limit these new schools to two classes of entry per year, allowing teachers to focus on individual children. Without being negative about current schools Benita does see that there is a need for smaller classes but was keen to emphasise that she is not criticising teachers.

Benita’s schools policies certainly make sense. Rather than try to squeeze children into the too few London schools that we already have there is a need to build more. Whilst expansion of 167 schools is good news they also need to be of a high standard. There is no point having a choice if it isn’t really a choice your want to take up. For instance, in our case, back in 2010, we were given the ‘choice’ of either an ‘outstanding’ school or one on ‘special measures’. It didn’t take long to make that decision!

I’m no policitcal dynamo but I do think that as London parents we deserve a greater choice of good schools. It shouldn’t be the case that if we don’t get our first choice that the second and third choices have to be the schools that are performing badly. With today’s admission results showing that 90% of London children got one of their preferred 3 schools it doesn’t sound too bad. But hang on, what happens to that 10%? Why should they have to face hours in the car, home-school or fork out for a private education? And what about the baby boom – where will those kids go and how can London cope if somebody (the London Mayor for example) does not address the demand?

What have been your experiences with primary schools? Did you get the school you wanted? I’d love to hear what your thoughts, comments and concerns on London schools. Also, what do you think of Siobhan Betina’s policy?