More than 100,000 new school places have been created in schools that are already failing, research from the New Schools Network has revealed.

The research showed that over the past five years, 113,000 new school places have been created in schools that are struggling.

Of these, 71,000 new places have been formed at primary schools that have been rated as 'inadequate’ or needing improvement by Ofsted. In secondary schools, 42,000 new places have been created in schools were GCSE results are in decline and 14,000 new places in schools judged as failing by Ofsted.

Nick Timothy, director of the New Schools Network, said: ‘Opening good new schools is the only realistic way we are going to meet the twin challenge of meeting rising demand for school places and improving educational standards across the country.

'It is not fair on students, parents or teachers to force more students into already struggling schools.’