NINE primary schools are having to increase their intake in September to accommodate a huge rise in pupil numbers.
The council forecast a shortage of about 88 places for the next academic year and a further 84 in 2016, caused by a baby boom which has led to reception class number rocketing.
It means from September four schools will run so-called bulge classes, which have twice the usual number of pupils are taken in; three are temporarily increasing the number of pupils they take in; and another two have permanently increased their admission numbers.
Education spokesman, Coun Tim Cheetham, ruled out any risk of children being taught in supersize classes of 60 or 70 pupils, as some parents fear may happen. He said that would be a double class and have two teachers.
** The full story appears in the Barnsley Chronicle newspaper, dated June 19. **
