Conservatives have slammed the Council for its failure to produce a coherent plan for much-needed additional places in the Borough’s Primary Schools.

Plans for additional places at St Mary's and St Peter’s in Teddington are having to be resubmitted and in East Twickenham and St Margaret’s, Orleans Infants and St Stephens expansions appear to be deadlocked.  Governing Bodies are reacting  with hostility to ‘bulge classes’.

Conservative Deputy Leader, David Marlow said, "This is a mess of the Council’s own making having delayed taking any action for over two years.  The problem was well known in 2006.  Their belated attention to the issue of primary school places has now become serious, allowing little time to overcome the difficulties now being experienced at these three schools.

"More problems are likely since this is only the beginning of the first phase.  Parents feel let down that the LibDems have not given education the priority it deserves.  The provision of sufficient places is a basic requirement which we are committed to fulfil.

"The situation is serious enough now but the Council is steaming ahead with plans for additional housing – without the school places which would be needed.  This last minute, hand-to-mouth approach is a worry to families throughout the Borough.”