Published: Thursday, 3rd September, 2009 9:36am

More school places needed in the borough

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THE Royal Borough needs to create more than 100 new primary school places by 2010.

Many of the schools in the east part of Maidenhead will be full to capacity in the next few years and the council must now find new ways to deal with demand.

The news comes as councillors agreed to carry out two feasibility studies costing around £80,000 into increasing the number of spaces available at Oldfield Primary school.

Applications for admission have consistently exceeded the 30 places available in the past few years at the site in Chiltern Road.

In 2007 70 children applied and that number rose to 97 in 2008 and is expected to rise again to nearly 100 applications next year.

Lead member for Children's Services Cllr Eileen Quick said new housing developments in the Kings Quarter and at the Badnells Pit site would add to pressure on the council to find school places for new residents' children .