OXFORD’S primary schools face even more pressure on places than previously feared, after population experts forecast the birth rate would continue to rise.

Thirteen city schools are already set to expand, because of increasing numbers of young children in the city, due to new housing developments, more families moving to Oxford and a rising birth rate.

Population experts had previously expected the numbers of four-year-olds starting school to peak in 2012, because of a mini-baby boom in 2008.

However, they have now told Oxfordshire County Council that the birth rate has continued to rise beyond their expectations, with no sign of slowing down.

In 2009, 2,033 babies were born in Oxford, compared with 2,006 in 2008 and just 1,713 five years previously.

Demographers have warned County Hall to expect 150 more four-year-olds than previously predicted enrolling at the city’s schools from 2012, the equivalent of 10 primaries taking on an extra half-class of first year pupils.

Last year, Bayards Hill, Cutteslowe, Larkrise, New Hinksey, New Marston, Orchard Meadow, Rose Hill, St Andrew’s, St Christopher’s, St Nicholas’ and Wolvercote primary schools all took in significantly more foundation stage pupils than their published admission numbers.

Across Oxford, 1,103 four-year-olds joined the city’s 28 primary schools, rather than the expected 994 new pupils.

Thirteen schools are already planning to increase their intakes over the next two years, with one, Windmill Primary in Headington, taking in the city’s first 90-strong foundation stage year group from September.

Headteacher Lyn Knapp said she was determined it would not affect the school’s standards.

She said: “It has been a growing problem in the past couple of years. There haven’t been enough spaces for children.

“It’s ridiculous when children are being taxied out to Bicester, when we want them to go to their local school.”

At Wood Farm Primary, where a £10m redevelopment will allow the school to take in 60 foundation stage pupils each year, headteacher David Lewin said: “My experience has been that demand for places in the early year groups has really grown.

“Our smallest year group is Year Six, and right the way down the school we have seen growing numbers of pupils. Like every school in Headington, we’re over-subscribed at foundation stage.”

He added: “A number of schools have had to expand, in some cases quite rapidly, to accommodate growth in particular year groups, and that does present challenges.

“It’s important for heads to plan ahead how growth is going to affect a school in the years to come.”

Last week, Wolvercote Primary School became the latest to apply for planning permission to use a temporary classroom, after taking 45 new pupils last September, rather than the 30 it had planned for. St Christopher’s and Larkrise are among other schools relying on mobile buildings.

The county council said it was working with schools to provide more places.

Spokesman Louise Mendonça said: “The council has already agreed to increase places available at a number of schools and across the whole city there are plans to create hundreds of places to ensure every child has a school to go to.”

INCREASING ADMISSIONS

Thirteen Oxford primary schools are set to increase admissions to meet the rise in demand: Bayards Hill, Barton: Intake increases from 40 to 60 this year.

Cutteslowe: Next year’s intake increases from 40 to 60. Study of permanent expansion.

East Oxford: Consulting on expanding to 45-pupil intake for next year.

Larkrise, East Oxford: Intake increases from 45 to 60 this year.

New Marston: Intake increases from 30 to 60 this year. Study of permanent expansion.

Orchard Meadow, Blackbird Leys: Intake increases from 30 to 45 this year.

Rose Hill: Intake increases from 40 to 50 this year.

St Christopher’s, Cowley: Intake increases from 45 to 60 this year.

St Ebbe’s: Feasibility study on expanding intake from 45 to 60

St Nicholas’, Marston: Intake increased from 45 to 60 last year.

Windale, Blackbird Leys: Intake increases from 50 to 60 from 2011

Windmill, Headington: Will take 90 foundation pupils, up from 60, this year and next.

Wood Farm: Intake increases from 45 to 60 next year.