THERE were more than 5,000 primary school places at Worcestershire schools unfilled by pupils according to the first data of its kind to be published since the pandemic.

And some schools in the county were overcrowded during the academic year 2020/2021.

The new data from the Department for Education shows 40,702 pupils filled 46,112 places, meaning overall there were 5,560 unfilled places across county schools.

A school is under capacity when the number of potential places at a school is greater than number of pupils enrolled.

The figures show North Worcester Primary School was the most undersubscribed school in Worcestershire, which had 420 places but only 73 pupils.

However, this will be due to the school only opening in September 2019 and only has two year groups during this period. 

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The second highest was Cleeve Prior CofE in Evesham which had 105 places but a total of 35 pupils. 

The highest Malvern school on this list was Grove Primary School and Nursery, which had 136 pupils but 315 places. 

The second highest Worcester school on the list was Dines Green Community Academy which had 172 pupils for 281 places.

The data also reveals that Honeybourne First School in Evesham is the most oversubscribed school in the region with 168 pupils but only 140 official places.

A school is 'overcrowded' when it is in excess of capacity as the number of pupils enrolled is greater than the number of places.

Broadheath CofE Primary School was the highest Worcester serving school with 155 pupils but officially had 140 places available. 

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And Hanley Swan was the highest Malvern oversubscribed school on the list, with 115 pupils but 105 places.

Worcestershire County Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member for education, said: “There are a number of factors behind the increase in school numbers across the county.

"Growth of pupil numbers has been felt across some urban areas of Worcestershire. The county is also seeing a significant level of new housing either being built or planned as the popularity of the county grows.

"We support where possible parental preference for choice of school and we work closely with primary, first, middle and secondary schools in Worcestershire to ensure they are able to sufficiently support higher numbers of pupils where needed.

"Higher primary pupil numbers from previous years have now begun to reach secondary transfer age, and those schools in three-tier systems are already experiencing higher numbers transferring through to middle schools. 

"The last two years saw the effects of lower birth rates on primary and first schools, which is expected to continue over the next few years.

"The number of children in primary year groups in Worcestershire is likely to continue to increase to peak numbers by 2023.  

"The number of pupils in secondary schools has begun to increase in recent years after several years of lower numbers.”