More than 2,000 new schools will have to be created by 2020 in order to meet the ‘unprecedented’ demand for places, new research has revealed.
The report from Scape Group found local authorities in England estimate there will be a 12% increase in the number of secondary school pupils over the next four years, while demand for primary school places will rise by 8.6%.
The report is calling for a ‘radical’ new wave of school building, arguing the demand is equivalent to two new schools a day.
Mark Robinson, chief executive of Scape Group, said: ‘The country will soon start to feel the full weight of the impending boom in pupil numbers, and we’re already seeing unprecedented pressure on school places.
‘A radical new wave of school-building must be a top priority for government.’
The report found London, the South East and East of England will see the highest growth in demand for school places, along with cities Manchester, Bristol and Nottingham.
