WHILE councils around the country warn the squeeze on school places will soon reach breaking point, Swindon remains confident about meeting the demand.

The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that the cost of creating places for the 880,000 extra students expected in England by 2023 will push local authorities and schools to the edge.

Government figures suggest populations will swell to 8,022,000 pupils, up from 7,143,000 in the current academic year.

But Swindon appears to be bucking the national trend, with the council, New College and the Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust working together to ensure the town continues to have ample places to educate the youngsters.

Talks are also being carried out with the Clifton Diocese, which runs Holy Rood Infant School and is behind plans to build Holy Cross Primary School on land adjacent to St Joseph’s.

Coun Fionuala Foley, Swindon Council Cabinet member for Children’s Services said: “Swindon has an excellent record in planning for the required level of school places, and is in the top 50 councils nationally for giving parents their preferred school place for their child.

Planning for school places has to take into account many factors such as birth rate, where families are choosing to live, and new housing developments.

“For children of primary school age, there are sufficient school places in Swindon to meet 98 per cent of parents’ preferences and overall, 676 additional reception places have been provided by primary schools since 2006. Additional classes are planned for September 2014 and September 2016. Any extra places after September 2016 will be linked to new housing development, which is expected to bring a need for another nine new schools.

“At secondary age, the council meets 98 per cent of parents’ preferences, but the increase in primary school places will naturally create an eventual need for more secondary places.’’

The council consulted widely on this in 2013. As a result, the council has engaged with New College and Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust who plan to establish two new free schools in the town, which will offer an additional 466 places per year and meet the expected demand. Both bids were submitted in October 2014 and a decision by the Education Funding Agency is expected in March.