Peterborough’s ‘overcrowded’ schools will find it harder to reopen, unions warn

Five city schools were oversubscribed in 2018/19, with one having 17 more pupils than its limit.

Primaries are due to open their doors in just a week with children taught in groups of up to 15 and desks spaced further apart.

A UK government spokesperson said the “welfare of children and staff has been at the heart of all decision-making”.

One in six English primaries (more than 2,700) were over capacity last year, the latest year for which figures are available, analysis by JPIMedia Data of Government data shows.

This includes four primaries in Peterborough - Oakdale, John Clare, Heritage Park and Nene Valley - as well as one school which educates both primary and secondary pupils - The King’s (The Cathedral) School.

In total, they were over capacity by 50 pupils.

Peterborough has 61 schools which cater for primary pupils,

In Cambridgeshire, 16 out of 210 primaries were overcrowded last year.

The Government’s plans for a phased return of pupils from June 1, beginning with selected year groups, have sparked a bitter row with unions. A growing list of local authorities have refused to reopen their primaries.

While schools have remained open for certain pupils, such as the children of key workers, the National Education Union (NEU) said it would be “impossible” for many oversubscribed schools to open more widely while adhering to the new guidance.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary, said: “The Government’s current guidance for the wider opening of schools fails to address the necessity of social distancing.

“It is quite clear classes of 15 are impossible for many schools on grounds of space alone. This situation will clearly be exacerbated in those schools that are over capacity.

“We all want some sort of normality back in our lives but the NEU believes the wider opening of schools should only occur when we see the scientific evidence that says it is safe to do so.”

The Department for Education said that a school’s overall capacity did not relate to its ability to welcome a limited number of further students back from June.

Any schools unable to accommodate small groups were being given further guidance, a spokesperson said.

The spokesperson said: “We want children back in schools as soon as possible because being with their teachers and friends is so important for their education and their wellbeing.

“Plans for a cautious, phased return of some year groups from June 1, at the earliest, are based on the best scientific and medical advice. The welfare of children and staff has been at the heart of all decision-making.”

Peterborough schools oversubscribed in 2018/19

Oakdale Primary School (oversubscribed by 17)

John Clare Primary School (8)

The King’s (The Cathedral) School (23)

Heritage Park Primary School (1)

Nene Valley Primary School (1)