Schools feel pressure as new pupil intake rises

PUPIL numbers are expected to increase by more than four per cent this year, putting pressure on at least half a dozen schools in the Capital.

A rise in birth rates between 2004 and 2008 means there will be an extra 160 children starting primary one this August, bringing the total to just over 4,000.

The rise in pupil numbers comes after councillors voted to close four schools this summer, on top of the three schools which closed the previous year – but education bosses say that even with the increase, there are still too many empty desks in the city.

Six primary schools have already been identified as facing accommodation issues as a result of the rise, and education bosses have had to come up with options to ensure children receive a place at their local school.

This includes the controversial proposal to swap Broomhouse Primary – which has seen a decline in pupil numbers – with St Joseph's RC Primary, which has seen its school roll double over the last few years.

Other primary schools which will face accommodation pressures this year are St Peter's, Tollcross, Preston Street, Victoria and St Mary's in Leith.

Education chiefs are planning to introduce a series of measures including prioritising baptised Catholics at the over-subscribed RC schools, creating an additional class and using an annex as extra teaching space.

Only one secondary school has been identified as facing accommodation pressures as a result of this year's intake, as secondary rolls are expected to fall by almost one per cent this year.

Holy Rood High – which moved into a new building last year – will have to increase its S1 intake from 230 to 240 this year.

Education leader Councillor Marilyne MacLaren said: "We used this information to inform our proposals to close the four primary schools last year.

"It was taken into account and even when the predicted rise in pupil numbers was included there were still far too many expensive empty places."

The rise in birth rates between 2004 and 2008 was a result of several factors. An influx of eastern European migrant workers was partly credited with the rise, but more people from within the UK are also choosing to settle in Edinburgh to have a family.

Women over the age of 35 are also becoming more likely to have babies.

Plans to increase P1 classes to 30 this year are also expected to put pressure on dozens of primaries.

Education chiefs say they are being forced to raise the numbers from the guideline of 25 for P1 classes because the Scottish Government has failed to introduce new laws to limit them in time for this year's intake.

The move to introduce new legislation came after education bosses in the Capital complained that they were struggling to stick to the 25 limit as it was only a guideline rather than the law, leading to parents winning appeals to send their children to schools classed as full.

STRETCHED TO CAPACITY

St Joseph's RC Primary The school roll has almost doubled since it opened as part of a joint campus with Broomhouse Primary in 2002. The proposal is to swap St Joseph's with Broomhouse, which occupies the larger of the two buildings.

Preston Street Primary The school has traditionally taken an intake of a class and a half each year. This year, it is proposed that the school limits its intake to 40 as two classes of 30 would lead to accommodation issues.

St Mary's RC Primary (Leith) The school is expected to have around 41 catchment pupils wishing to take up their place there, but only has room for 30. Baptised Catholics will be prioritised.

St Peter's RC Primary School It is thought that the school will not be able to accommodate all of its catchment pupils. Priority will be given to baptised Catholics.

Tollcross Primary Each year the school has an intake of a standard P1 class and a Gaelic-speaking class. Gaelic education has become so popular that an extra class is needed to cater for an intake of 38. In the short-term, the general purpose space is being used as a classroom.

Towerbank Primary The proposed intake this year is 90 in three classes of 30 pupils. This is too many for the school's main site, but the reintroduction of an annex will provide extra accommodation.

Victoria Primary The school has a capacity of 145 pupils and a roll of 141. An additional class will have to be created to cater for the new intake of pupils.

Holy Rood High An S1 intake limit of 240 is proposed for this year. However, the current stay on-rates from S4 to S6 mean that this is not sustainable within the capacity of the school and an intake rate of 220 will be required in 2011.