Classrooms at 25 schools in BCP are full or overcrowded

Twenty-five schools within the BCP Council area were at or over capacity in the 2021 to 2022 academic year, according to figures by the Department for Education. 

Of them, 18 were primary schools and seven were secondary schools. 

A BCP Spokesman said “Schools are deemed overcrowded when numbers physically exceed the roll, often by just one or two children per year group. 

Overcrowded schools (Image: RADAR)

“We can reassure parents and carers that there are circumstances in law which may give rise to the admissions of children to school above the published admission number.

“This includes areas such as: outcome of school admission appeals, in-year admission of children deemed vulnerable and referrals made through the Fair Access Protocol. 

“We are continuing to work in partnership with all schools to maximise the achievement of parental preferences and provide local places for local children.” 

Jon Andrews, Education Policy Institute head of analysis, said the proportion of schools operating at over capacity is likely to fall in the coming years. 

“Pupil numbers are already declining in primary, and will soon peak in secondary and special schools. The Department for Education estimate that the total pupil population will fall by over 900,000 between 2022 and 2032,” Mr Andrews added. 

A Department for Education spokesperson said it has created almost 1.2 million school places since 2010 and added many more are “in the pipeline”. 

They said: “The vast majority of schools listed as overcapacity are either at or just over recorded capacity, and we work closely with local authorities to make sure they offer a school place to every child in the country.” 

Across England, 17 per cent of primary schools were full or over capacity while 23 per cent of secondary schools, including sixth forms, were at or above capacity last year. 

The Department for Education said most state schools that exceeded their capacity were over by fewer than 10 pupils. About seven per cent of schools exceeded their capacity by 10 or more students.