Pupils face being taught in school halls this September

by political editor Paul Francis

Primary school children could have to be taught in halls temporarily after it emerged some new classrooms needed at 18 schools might not be ready in time.

Kent County Council says it needs more space at 18 schools to cope with an unexpected demand for places this September.

But it says an emergency £5.4m programme for a mixture of mobile classrooms and extensions might not be completed when the new school year begins.

It has yet to get planning permission to put up mobile classrooms at six of the over-subscribed schools where it needs them. In another, it is facing objections from Sport England and the matter has yet to be resolved.

A report due to be considered by county councillors today says contingency plans are in place should planning permission be refused.

It states: "A number of schools have agreed to interim use of existing school accommodation - such as hall space - if the additional classroom provision is delivered during the Autumn term."

Of the 18 schools involved, 10 are scheduled to have temporary classrooms, with the rest having a mix of permanent classes or the adaptation of existing facilities.

KCC has blamed parental choice, pressure for places at popular schools and the rising number of successful appeals for what it describes as "rapidly increasing pupil numbers" that have triggered the demand for extra classrooms.

It added: "In certain areas of Kent, existing capacity in schools is already no longer adequate to provide for the growth in pupil numbers."

But the authority faced criticism from a teaching union, which said it was paying the price for a programme of school closures several years ago.

John Walder, Kent branch secretary for the National Union of Teachers, said: "It is remarkable they should have to be doing this. It is true that pupil numbers go up and down but if you close schools, the fact is that the others that are left have to absorb the pressure."

Cllr Mike Whiting, KCC education cabinet member, said he was confident every pupil would be taught in a proper classroom by September.

"I am determined that every child should have a proper classroom and will have. It is sensible to have some contingency plans but I am confident that all the things we need will be in place. We are dealing with a bulge in primary school numbers and have recognised that and are getting on with the job."

Schools where new classrooms are needed:

Oakfield Primary, Dartford

St Botolph's, Gravesend

Bishops Down Primary, Tunbridge Wells

Broomhill Bank School, Tunbridge Wells

The Bridge Primary, Dartford

The Discovery School, Kings Hill

Highview Special School, Folkestone

Ryarsh Primary, Malling

St Francis Primary School, Maidstone

St George's School, Wrotham

Furley Park School, Ashford

Great Chart Primary, near Ashford

Aldington Primary, near Ashford

Five Acre Wood School, Maidstone

Callis Grange Infant School, Broadstairs

Ethelbert Road Primary, Faversham

Garlinge Primary, Thanet

Westlands Primary, Sittingbourne