Figures reveal more than 20 per cent of Hampshire schools considered 'over capacity'

Data taken in May 2019 by the Department for Education showed 101 out of 490 schools - or 21 per cent of schools - in the Hampshire County Council area were considered above capacity.

This is above the average for England of 17 per cent with 3,330 out of 20,156 schools classed as over capacity.

With some primary schools set to re-open on June 1 this was a concern for president of the National Education Union and Portsmouth teacher, Amanda Martin.

She said: 'We absolutely want our kids back in school because it's the best place for them. But class size is another thing to take into account.

'So in Year 6 in other European countries you could be looking at class sizes of 20 but in England in schools that are over capacity there could be 34, which just adds to the pressure of trying to keep students and teachers safe.'

In Hampshire 91 of its primary schools and 10 of its secondary schools were classed as over capacity.

But Councillor Roz Chadd, education boss at Hampshire County Council, said: 'Calculating primary school capacity uses a Department for Education prescribed method of assuming 30 children per classroom.

'Admitting additional children is not uncommon. For example, many junior school Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 classes accommodate 32 in a class which, in turn presents as the numbers on roll being "over capacity."

'Secondary school place capacity calculations work on the basis of 75 per cent of the available teaching space, including the use of drama studios, sports and assembly halls, being appropriately occupied.

'In terms of the potential, additional opening of schools to specified year groups at the beginning of next month in the light of the current circumstances, we do not envisage that this would pose a problem, if the government confirms that schools should extend opening in a phased arrangement.'

In the Portsmouth City Council area only five out of 59 schools were considered over capacity - or eight per cent.

SEE ALSO: Portsmouth teacher slams government’s plans to re-open schools

The council's cabinet member for education, Cllr Suzy Horton, said: 'Portsmouth plans school places efficiently which means there is not significant surplus capacity in our schools.

'It would not be possible for children to socially distance if all of them were back at school, but that is true for virtually all schools unless their surplus capacity is really high.

'The initial increase in children attending school is being planned very carefully with a phased and cautious approach, and small groups, consistent with government guidance.

'It would simply not be possible for all children to return and be in small groups with social distancing - there just are not enough teachers or rooms.'

It is thought secondary schools will reopen to some students from June 15.

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