We need places for 700 extra children by 2020, council warns (From Wandsworth Guardian)

Wandsworth Council to begin public consultation on seven extra primary classes for September 2013

3:00pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Jamie Henderson

Primary schools will need 24 extra classes by September 2020 to keep up with the rapidly expanding population, according to latest figures.

A public consultation on expansion proposals to add seven extra classes will be launched by Wandsworth Council after Easter.

These seven would add to the additional eight classes already in the pipeline for children starting school this September.

The birth rate in Wandsworth has risen from 4,359 in 2003 to 5,477 in 2011 and is projected to continue to keep rising over the coming decade.

With a maximum of 30 children per extra class, 24 classes would provide room for 720 children.

Three free schools - New Tooting Primary in Franciscan Road, Balham's Rutherford House School and South London Jewish Primary School - have been given the go-ahead by the Government to open in September 2013.

Councillor Kathy Tracey, the council's children’s services spokeswoman said: "The three new free schools will make a huge difference, taking the pressure off places elsewhere and giving parents new choices.

"Informal discussions with our headteachers and governors have been very helpful and we will have firm proposals shortly that we will open up for local families to comment on."