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Primary school classes could be taught in sheds and converted shops as rising birth rate and immigration increase demand for places

By staff 20/02/2012 05:38:00

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By David Baker

Last updated at 11:38 AM on 20th February 2012

Thousands of children across the country could be taught in converted sheds and shops as the demand for primary school places continues to rise.

Pupils will be crammed into classrooms over the legal limit of 30 children or sent miles away from their homes as schools struggle to cope with a huge increase in the number of four- and five-year-olds.

As a result of rising birth-rates and immigration, youngsters can expect to be crammed in to makeshift buildings with the growing use of 'bulge classes'.

Full: Government statistics have revealed that one in five UK primary schools are either full or operating over capacity

These 'bulge classes' see schools trying to accommodate extra classes of 30, for example an intake of three classes rather than two in a year group. A shortage of space could result in some of these children being taught in temporary classrooms.

A number of schools in London, the West Midlands and the South West have already been forced to install mobile classrooms while a school in Somerset is seeking permission to teach from two converted sheds.

With Barking and Dagenham, in east London, facing the steepest rise in numbers in the country, its council is considering leasing space in former stores owned by retailers MFI and Woolworths.

According to the latest figures produced by the Department for Education (DfE) it is expected that primary schools in England will have to find space for more than 450,000 children of primary age by 2015 and 800,000 by 2020.

This means that by the end of the decade the equivalent of 3,200 additional schools will be needed as the population reaches a 50 year high.

Makeshift: Temporary classes like these are being built across the country to help accommodate the ever growing number of primary school pupils

Speaking today Stephen Twigg, the shadow Education Secretary, said the issue urgently needed addressing by the Government.

Concern: Stephen Twigg, the shadow Education Secretary, has warned schools with temporary classrooms can expect a shortfall of applications from the highest qualified teachers

He said: 'If you are looking to use a temporary classroom, you are less likely to have the most modern equipment for learning.

'Having good-quality facilities... there need to be systems in place to ensure they (temporary classrooms) are used for as short a time as possible.'

Mr Twigg also suggested the highest-qualified teachers were less likely to apply for a job in schools where large numbers of children are taught in temporary accommodation.

Last year Chancellor George Osborne announced that the schools' budget will rise from £35billion to £39billion over the next four years and that an extra £600m will go to local authorities experiencing greater pressure for school places.

A DfE spokesman said 'We are creating thousands more places to deal with the impact of soaring birth rates on primary schools.

'We are more than doubling targeted investment at areas facing the greatest pressure on numbers - to over £4billion in the next four years - and we are building Free Schools and letting the most popular schools expand to meet demand from parents.'

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