YOUR article “School places actively cut by Bournemouth council since 2006” (Daily Echo, May 17) illustrates how very fluid and responsive the process of planning school places is. Birth data is collated, together with registrations at GPs, in order to give the number of two-year-olds in the borough (those actually living at Bournemouth addresses). This number, together with an allowance for a small surplus, informs the statutory consultation process which begins almost two years before a child starts in Reception. Over that period, numbers are constantly monitored and adjustments made as necessary.

Over the past five years, the figures compiled and used by Bournemouth planners have been within two per cent accuracy.

There has however been notable variation in the number of children applying to start primary school, and this has given rise to changes both up and down. To give an idea of the scale of the issue and why it involves so many schools, the number of offers made in 2012 is 25 per cent more than two years previously. This follows on from a historic low point and places have been increased or decreased to reflect these very volatile numbers.

NICOLA GREENE Deputy leader and cabinet member for education and children’s services Bournemouth Borough Council