Seven schools in Dacorum are 'overcrowded' as Government plans to get kids back into education

Next week, English Primary schools will begin a phased return for pupils.
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But with one in six English schools over capacity in 2018/19, unions are warning social distancing will be 'impossible' at many sites.

The figures are from the Department for Education - School capacity: academic year 2018 to 2019.

There are 403 schools in Hertfordshire, out of these 44 are over capacity, which equates to 10.9 per cent.

School stock imageSchool stock image
School stock image

There are 77 high schools, 11 are over capacity, which equates to 14.3 per cent.

There are three secondary deemed middle schools and one is over capacity.

In total, there are 485 schools in Hertfordshire and 56 are overcrowded, or 12 per cent.

Seven of the over capacity schools are in Dacorum.

It would be inaccurate to suggest that these stats are related to a school’s ability to implement the clear guidance provided on how to begin welcoming a limited number of pupils back to school.

Government plans for a phased return of pupils from June 1, beginning with selected year groups, have sparked a bitter row with unions.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: "The term over-capacity is misleading; we have some schools that are very popular and over-subscribed but where this is the case we (or the academy trust, if the school is an academy) have expanded them to accommodate the additional pupils.

"There are also many schools that are under-subscribed.

"The reopening of nursery, reception, year one and year six pupils begins on June 1 and involves schools limiting the sizes of classes to a maximum of 15, making social distancing possible with smaller groups of children.

"The issue will only arise when all pupils return to school and if social distancing remains a requirement at that time, which we obviously cannot speculate on this at present."

More than 2,700 English primaries were over capacity last year, the latest year for which figures are available, analysis by JPIMedia Data of Government data shows.

While schools have remained open for certain pupils, such as the children of key workers, the National Education Union (NEU) said it would be “impossible” for many oversubscribed schools to open more widely while adhering to the new guidance.

Kevin Courtney, joint general secretary said: “The Government's current guidance for the wider opening of schools fails to address the necessity of social distancing.

“It is quite clear classes of 15 are impossible for many schools on grounds of space alone. This situation will clearly be exacerbated in those schools that are over capacity.”

“We all want some sort of normality back in our lives but the NEU believes the wider opening of schools should only occur when we see the scientific evidence that says it is safe to do so.”

The analysis has also looked at oversubscribed schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland, where pupils are expected to return after summer.

In England, 3,330 schools (17 per cent) were over capacity in 2018/19, primary schools over capacity: 2,782 primary schools were over capacity (16.6 per cent) and 510 secondary schools were over capacity (16.3 per cent).

A Department for Education spokesperson said they wanted children back in schools 'as soon as possible' for their 'education and wellbeing.

“Plans for a cautious, phased return of some year groups from 1 June, at the earliest, are based on the best scientific and medical advice.

"The welfare of children and staff has been at the heart of all decision making.

“We have engaged closely with a range of relevant organisations, including the unions, throughout the past eight weeks, including organising for them to hear directly from the government’s scientific advisers last Friday, and will continue to do so.

"We have also published detailed guidance on the protective measures schools should take to reduce the risk of transmission.”