Shortage fears as 276 children wait for just four Darlaston schools
More than 270 children are on waiting lists for just four schools in just one town.
Figures seen by the Express & Star reveal that there are 276 youngsters bidding for a place at the schools across Darlaston, prompting concern from community leaders who warned about a shortage of places last year.
The figures relate to Pinfold Street Primary School, Old Church C of E Primary School, Rough Hay Primary School and Moorcroft Wood Primary school and stretch from nursery to year six pupils.
The highest number of people on the waiting list for one school year is at Pinfold Street, where 43 pupils are waiting for a reception place.
Councillor Doug James said: "How is the council policy of providing 'the best start in life' for our children being met when so many families do not have a confirmed school place after the start of term?
"Clearly there has been a huge under investment and miscalculation of local demand.
"It appears to many parents and carers that Darlaston has fallen off the map when it comes to school places. I am not aware of a plan emerging to solve our problems even in the short term.We need a new school not more excuses.
"I certainly hope education do all they can to assist families without school places and that no warning letters are sent out warning parents to find school places or suffer penalties.
"The service must improve its support to these parents and carers."
Councillor Rose Burley, spokeswoman for Children's Services and Education, said; "There are sufficient school places across Walsall reception classes to accommodate applicants for places in all year groups.
"96.4 percent of children were offered one of their parents' preferences for a reception place in 2016.
"Those who cannot be offered their preferred school are placed on the waiting list and have the right of appeal against the decision and can contact the Admissions and Pupil Place Planning team for advice on applying for a place at an alternative school."
Earlier this year it was revealed that nearly 100 families had applied for just 45 school places at Old Church Primary School, leaving some parents in tears after their children were turned down.
That followed on from Councillor James criticising plans from Walsall Council to expand schools in the borough, such as Kings Hill Primary School in Wednesbury, which had been placed in special measures by Ofsted in recent years.
Latest council figures indicate that a total of 236 pupils are also being educated at home across the borough. There are also 33 primary aged children and 47 secondary aged children classed as 'children missing education', meaning they are without a school place.
