Primary schools at breaking point with 50,000 places needed

London primary schools are full to bursting point, councils warn today. Figures show schools need an extra 50,000 places to cope with an unprecedented surge in demand — and that could cost up to £1.5 billion.

A report by the London Councils lobby group says the sheer scale of London's problems is unique.

It blames a rising birth rate, sluggish housing market with fewer families moving out of the city, and more parents choosing state education because of the recession.

Parents are applying now for children to start next September. Many will be disappointed as schools which have "run out of places" turn thousands away.

The survey warned that the "extremely severe" shortage will get worse every year until 2018. It says: "There are some very large geographical areas with absolutely no capacity, particularly for reception class children."

Nicholas Stanton, schools spokesman for London Councils, said: "There is a crisis this year." The worst-hit boroughs are Brent, Barnet, Enfield, Waltham Forest, Newham, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Southwark, Lambeth, Croydon, Richmond and Kingston, which each need more than 2,000 extra places over the next three years.

At least £880 million — and as much as £1.5 billion — will be required to create permanent new classes for 50,710 extra pupils by 2017-18. The report said: "Severe capacity problems in geographical hotspots means they are now being forced to contemplate some tough decisions about where to place children."

The Government has promised £200 million for councils across England. Mr Stanton, leader of Southwark council, called on ministers to provide emergency funding, adding: "No one wants schools to put portable cabins on playing fields or playgrounds."

Primary schools in two thirds of London boroughs are full — 20 out of 32 London boroughs are short of primary school places for this year and next. Nine out of 10 predict a shortage over the next seven years. Analysts believe the Government's plans for all pupils to start school aged four, rather than five, will make the situation worse.

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said: "Some authorities are facing unanticipated rises in demand for reception-age pupils, others simply did not plan or budget effectively for rising birth rates."