Another 2,800 places created as pupils go back to school

Following the news about the increasing demand for school places nationwide, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Learning Linda Kemeny said:

“Surrey school children are returning from their summer break this week to schools with extra classroom space for 2,800 pupils.

“These places have been provided as part of the biggest expansion programme Surrey’s ever seen to meet demand at our excellent schools fuelled by a 20% rise in the birth rate. It will see the council create the 16,000 places we need to find in the next five years to ensure every child gets the best possible education.

“That is why we recently agreed to invest an extra £93 million on top of the £261m already earmarked for pupil places, underlining our continued commitment to ensuring the full potential of every pupil is unlocked.

“The government has just contributed an extra £23m towards this huge task and any further funding to help us ensure children get the best possible start in life would be most welcome.”

Schools Minister David Laws awarded Surrey the money to pay for around 2,300 places.