Schools set to handle 40,000 extra pupils

SCHOOLS and nurseries across west London will need to expand rapidly if they are to handle almost 40,000 more pupils by 2039.

The pressure is on for Hillingdon’s schools which will have to plan to accommodate for the largest number of children, according to population growth figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Data revealed the borough should expect more than 14,000 students over the next 25 years, an increase of 24.6 per cent which is well ahead of the 9.8 per cent increase for the country as a whole.

According to the latest population figures there were 58,600 children aged up to 14 living in Hillingdon in 2014, a number which is expected to rocket to 73,000 by 2039, meaning 14,400 extra places will need to be provided.

Claiming the second highest spot is Hounslow where a predicted 14.6 per cent change in population of people aged up to 14 will mean schools will need to accommodate for an additional 7,700 pupils by 2039; and Westminster is in third with a 14.2% rise of or 5,000 children.

Across the eight boroughs, the population of children is expected to increase by 10.4 per cent with an extra 39,600 pupils by 2039.