School population increases by 121,000 DfE figures show

According to figures from the Department for Education (DfE), the school population in England has increased by 121,000 since last year.

The rise in pupil numbers mean there are 470,000 more school children than in 2009, with schools being put under increasing pressure to provide enough places. The figures revealed a net increase of 12 state primary and 20 state secondary schools, over the past year. However, because of the closure of some pupil referral units and independent schools, the overall number of schools has fallen.

The data also showed an upward trend in the number of ethnic minority pupils, with 31.4 per cent of primary pupils defined as being from ethnic minorities, a one per cent increase on the previous year. In secondary schools the proportion of ethnic minority pupils has risen to 27.9 per cent, from 26.6 per cent last year.

A spokeswoman from the DfE said the government expected to deliver 600,000 more places by 2021.

She said: "Delivering good quality school places is a top priority for this government and the latest figures show that the system continues to work. Today's figures reveal thousands fewer children are being taught in large infant classes. The data also shows that primary school class sizes remain stable at 27.1 pupils."