Peterborough's most overcrowded schools revealed between 2021-22 - as 12 operating at full capacity

Peterborough had a dozen full or overcrowded primary and secondary schools in the 2021-22 academic year, new figures from the Department for Education show.

The Education Policy Institute said areas with schools operating close to or over capacity see teaching staff facing additional demand.

A school is at or in excess of capacity when the number of pupils enrolled is greater than or equal to its number of places.

The data revealed 12 schools were at or over capacity in Peterborough.

The figures show the most crowded primary school in Peterborough last year was John Clare Primary School.

The school had 145 students on roll and 105 places – meaning it was over capacity by 38%.

The most crowded secondary school in the area was The King's (The Cathedral) School which had 1,217 pupils and 1,150 places last year. It was over capacity by 6%.

Across England, 17% of primary schools were full or over capacity while 23% of secondary schools, including sixth forms, were at or above capacity last year.

The Department for Education said most state schools that exceeded their capacity were over by fewer than 10 pupils. About 7% of schools exceeded their capacity by 10 or more students.

‘Disadvantaged pupils will suffer’

Jon Andrews, Education Policy Institute head of analysis, said the proportion of schools operating at over capacity is likely to fall in the coming years.

"Pupil numbers are already declining in primary, and will soon peak in secondary and special schools. The Department for Education estimate that the total pupil population will fall by over 900,000 between 2022 and 2032," Mr Andrews added.He warned the result of schools operating close to or over capacity is additional demands on teaching staff and pupils being left without their preferred choice of school.

He said: "With our research having revealed that pupils from more affluent backgrounds more frequently succeed via these routes of appeal, it’s likely that disadvantaged pupils will suffer to a greater extent from the effects of schools being over capacity.”

System ‘desperately’ needs to be reviewed

Geoff Barton, Association of School and College Leaders general secretary, said arrangements are put in place to accommodate pupils where a school is over-subscribed.

Mr Barton added: "The bigger issue is that this situation is often driven by Ofsted judgements rather than a shortage of school places in the system as a whole because many parents apply for schools with ‘good’ and ‘outstanding’ ratings.

"It drives up property prices in certain areas and stigmatises schools in other areas."

He said the system "desperately" needs to be reviewed and added struggling schools need more support.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said it has created almost 1.2 million school places since 2010 and added many more are "in the pipeline".

They said: “The vast majority of schools listed as overcapacity are either at or just over recorded capacity, and we work closely with local authorities to make sure they offer a school place to every child in country.”

Which schools were at capacity or overcrowded between the 2021-22 academic year?

John Clare Primary School had 105 school places, with 145 children on roll.

Dogsthorpe Academy had 360 school places, with 381 children on roll.

The King's (The Cathedral) School had 1150 school places, with 1217 children on roll.

Eye CofE Primary School had 420 school places, with 443 children on roll.

Jack Hunt School had 1803 school places, with 1834 children on roll.

The Duke of Bedford Primary School had 210 school places, with 212 children on roll.

Braybrook Primary Academy had 210 school places, with 211 children on roll.

Heritage Park Primary School had 210 school places, with 211 children on roll.

Hampton Hargate Primary School had 630 school places, with 631 children on roll.

All Saints' CofE (Aided) Primary School had 420 school places, with 420 children on roll.

Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School had 210 school places, with 210 children on roll.

St Augustine's CofE (Voluntary Aided) Junior School had 240 school places, with 240 children on roll.