Thousands of youngsters taught in oversized classes

Wolverhampton and Sandwell councils have been identified as two of the worst in the country for oversized KS1 classes, with 18.2 per cent of Wolverhampton schools being over the legal limit and 15.9 per cent in Sandwell.

The shocking figures have been revealed in the 2015 school census. It shows that 6,877 youngsters aged between 5 and 7 are being taught in classes containing more than 30 pupils – the statutory limit for children of that age group.

Teachers union bosses have described the statistics as 'extremely worrying' and have called on the Government to assist local authorities in creating new school places.

Eight schools across Wolverhampton and Sandwell fill the top 10 list of schools with the largest average KS1 classes.

St Stephen's Church of England Primary School in Wolverhampton has the second largest average in the West Midlands, with 32 pupils in each class.

Loxdale Primary School in Bilston is third with 94 pupils crammed into three classes at an average of 31.3 pupils.

Meanwhile Castlecroft Primary School had an average class size of 31, as did St Michael's Church of England Aided Primary School in Tettenhall.

Sandwell had four primary schools in the top 10. Sacred Heart Primary in Tipton, Annie Lennard Infant School, Lightwoods Primary and Old Hill Primary all had average class sizes of 31.

NUT branch secretary Martin Lynch, said: "We are concerned whenever classes even approach 30 pupils.

"The attention each child gets is compromised as classes get larger. Teachers are also subjected to additional strain.

"We hope and expect that schools do all they can to ensure that classes stay within the statutory limit.

"The situation is going to get worse with pupil numbers set to rise further across the West Midlands in the coming years.

"It's clear that in some areas there are not enough schools to cope with the local population.

"There is no doubt that the Government needs to get a grip of the situation and provide the assistance required so that local authorities can address the issue."

Earlier this year the Local Government Association revealed that by 2017 there would not be enough reception places for youngsters in schools in Sandwell and Wolverhampton.

The LGA say this is due to a baby boom and an population spikes in both areas.

Education chiefs in Wolverhampton have launched a primary schools expansion programme in a bid to tackle the shortage of places across the city.

A total of 465 permanent places are being created at Bilston CE Primary, Eastfield Primary, Manor Primary and Westacre Infant schools.

A further 270 temporary places are being introduced at Bushbury Hill Primary, Loxdale Primary, St Martin's CE Primary, Stowlawn Primary and West Park Primary schools.

Wolverhampton's education chief Councillor Claire Darke, said: "We've seen levels of demand for primary school places in Wolverhampton increase significantly over the last few years, and so we need to create hundreds of extra places – particularly over the next two years.

"We have worked closely with the schools which are receiving temporary and permanent expansions, and work is well underway to ensure that these places will be available from September."

Sandwell is also attempting to cater for increased numbers of pupils. Six new classes are being built at Holy Trinity Primary in West Bromwich, with the number of pupils attending the school expected to increase by nearly 22 per cent in September, from 396 to 479.

Plans have been submitted for eight extra classrooms will be created at Greenholm Primary School in Great Barr, where an extra 180 pupils are expected to join for 2015/16.

And Abbey Infant School in Smethwick and Yew Tree Primary School are set to be rebuilt.

But council bosses say the extra places are still nowhere near enough to cope with the burgeoning demand.

Earlier this year Darren Cooper, leader of Sandwell Council, said pupils from Smethwick were travelling across the borough to West Bromwich to go to school due to the dearth of places.