The Government is to provide £300 million to create an estimated 15,000 new places in primary schools in England. Local authorities have been under pressure because of increasing pupil numbers and, earlier this year, Ministers announced a £200 million package to help authorities address the problem. A further £100 million has now been allocated, following discussions with councils.
£270 million will be used to fund the building of new classrooms and facilities in 34 authorities facing exceptional growth in the number of four and five-year-olds. The remaining £30 million has been earmarked for use in councils which have not so far applied for extra funding.
Authorities will be expected to create the extra permanent places for the start of the new academic year in 2011 and, where actual pupil numbers fall short of predictions, future capital funding allocations may be held back. Children’s Secretary Ed Balls said “It is down to local authorities to make sure there are sufficient school places available to meet parental demand across their areas.”
The Government attribute the increases in pupil numbers to changes in the birth rate, the housing market and the economic climate, as well as to increased demand in the state sector. London has seen a particularly large increase in demand for primary places.
