More of city's children not going to school - report

A council report said more children were not going to primary school

More children are not going to primary school in Coventry because parents are refusing to accept places that have been offered, a council report has said.

The report, which will go before city councillors this week, said it was one of a number of effects caused by the squeeze on primary school places.

The city’s overall school population has shot up by 1,500 in the last two years and demand for places has soared as more people move to the area.

Requests for children to join primary schools during the school year have also more than doubled in five years, meaning fewer spots in year groups above reception.

The report said there was no guarantee of a place near children’s homes, which was causing more parents to lodge appeals after being offered places.

“An increasing number of parents are refusing to take up the school place they have been offered, resulting in a higher number of children of statutory school age not in school,” it said.

“The average distance of the school place from a home address has increased meaning pupils are having to travel further to get to school.”

The document said the issues suggested schools were reaching or exceeding their capacity and that there could be challenges in meeting the city’s educational needs.

The report will be discussed by members of Coventry City Council

The authority is planning to put in extra temporary and permanent classes to make sure there are enough places for children, the report added.

It said this could include “modular construction techniques” and “adaptive scheduling systems” as well as increasing pupil admission numbers in schools with enough room.

The report will be discussed by councillors during a scrutiny meeting on Thursday.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.