Thousands of spare secondary school places in London identified

Schools have faced sharply rising numbers of pupils

There are enough spare places at London's secondary schools to house the equivalent of 84 primary schools, BBC London has learned.

There are 42,500 spare places at secondary schools across the capital, BBC analysis of Department for Education figures found.

Some of the secondary schools have enough free capacity to accommodate one or more entire primary schools.

Educating younger pupils on secondary school sites is known as "co-locating".

Fifty-eight secondary schools in London have enough space to house an average-sized primary school with 263 pupils.

A further thirteen schools could fit two primaries on their site.

"Co-locating'' already happens in big US cities such as New York and Chicago, which face a struggle for space similar to that in London.

Of the 1,800 public schools in New York, 63% are co-locating.

A Success Academy Charter School in Harlem, one of 32 schools serving 9,000 New York pupils

The Success Academy Charter School (SACS) movement in New York runs 32 schools serving 9,000 students.

Ann Powell, public affairs director for SACS, explained that the same buildings can host "separate schools - they have their own routines, designated classrooms and offices. But they share certain facilities like the cafeteria, the gym and the playground.'

'Huge growing demand'

The New Schools Network, which helps set up free schools across England, believes co-locating could help address what they see as a lack of suitable sites in London.

Sarah Pearson, NSN's director, commented: ''For free schools it's not uncommon for them to have a very small first couple of years, with just a few year groups.

"This could offer them a home for the first two or three years while their permanent building is being created.''

London Councils points out that much of the spare capacity will most likely be needed to cope with a huge growing demand for secondary places.

London Councils has identified a shortfall of 34,000 in places planned at secondary level.

But the problem is still most acute at primary level, and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan is said to be ''keen to explore innovative uses for sites''.