A CRITICAL shortage of primary school places in Waltham Forest is continuing, with governing bodies described as being ‘ambushed’ to take on extra pupils.

Parents fear the quality of education will suffer as temporary classrooms are placed in playgrounds and facilities are stretched.

The problem is set to persist, with claims that 145 extra primary school classes will be needed by 2015, without taking into account major development projects.

A number of schools are being asked to take on extra pupils, with the council yet to reveal exact numbers.

This followed a wave of expansions last year as the crisis deepened.

A total of 13 primary schools across are to take on at least one extra form of entry in September, with four taking two.

Governors and parents of pupils at Greenleaf Primary School in Greenleaf Road, Walthamstow, are unhappy at having to take on an extra reception class in September.

The school agreed after being told that the council could use legal powers to force the move.

Parents are concerned that the quality of education will suffer as pupils will get less time to use specialist facilities.

A new temporary classroom is due to be placed on the only green space in a small playground.

Liz Maidment, 39, of Wellington Road, has three children at the school.

She said: “Parents understand the situation governors and headteachers are in. No-one is blaming them, they are being strong-armed into it.

“The council’s own report says 145 extra classrooms are needed by 2015. This has been going on since 2001 and [the council’s] own documents describe its policy as the ‘just in time’ approach.

“It is easier for the council to ambush schools late in the summer term. For them it is just a warehousing issue and this puts a lot of pressure on staff headteachers and governing bodies.

“They have been unable to provide assurances over the future of facilities such as the art, IT and music rooms.

“Greenleaf is a fantastic school, with facilities that offer a great opportunity for creative leaning.

“This has a knock-on effect as there will be less opportunities to learn creatively.”

In a letter to the council in May, the governors at Greenleaf said they were ‘shocked and dismayed’ at the expansion proposals. The following month a follow-up letter said they agreed to the proposal ‘RELUCTANTLY’, but remained ‘extremely concerned’ with the number of children on the site.

Eight schools in Walthamstow, two in both Leyton and Leytonstone and Larkswood in Chingford are taking on extra pupils this year.

The full list of schools and extra forms of entry in September:

St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Walthamstow (2)

Woodside School, Walthamstow (2)

Barclay Primary School, Leyton (2)

Chapel End Infant School, Chingford (2)

Winns Primary School, Walthamstow (1)

Buxton Primary School, Leytonstone (1)

Larkswood Primary School, Chingford (1)

Jenny Hammond Primary School, Leytonstone (1)

Newport Primary School, Leyton (1)

Mission Grove Primary School, Walthamstow (1)

Greenleaf Primary School, Walthamstow, (1)

Stoneydown Primary School, Walthamstow (1)

Roger Ascham Primary School, Walthamstow (1)

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