PARENTS have been assured that there are enough primary school places to satisfy demand in the county – despite claims of a shortfall.

New research by the Labour party claims that there is set to be a 451-place shortfall across primary schools in Worcestershire with 120,000 spaces lacking across the country ahead of the September intake.

But Worcestershire County Council has dismissed the allegations saying there will be adequate primary school places in 2013/14.

Figures from the council show there will be 41,267 children attending primary school in 2013/14, leaving an excess of 3,091 places when compared against last May’s capacity of 44,358.

However, the Labour figures state that there are currently 40,816 places across Worcestershire, but there will be 41,267 pupils of primary school age – reception to year six – in the county this September.

Councillor Liz Eyre, cabinet member for children and families, said the county was well prepared to cope with growing pupil numbers, but did warn parents not to necessarily expect to be granted their first-choice school.

“While we cannot guarantee that families will always get their first preference school, we are confident that all children will be offered a school place,” she said.

“The county council will continue to monitor numbers and respond with increases and expansions as necessary with expansions for the September 2014 intake having already been agreed.”

There were 6,520 places available for reception intake in September 2013, with 5,830 places offered to new starters, leaving 690 places still available across the county.

The offers are for Worcestershire schools, but also include those made to children living in neighbouring counties.

The Labour research also predicted shortfalls in the coming years with an estimated roll total of 42,732 pupils in Worcestershire by September 2016 and a possible shortage 1,916 pupils without a primary school place. Again, the county council figures contradicted the numbers.

Their predictions showed an excess, forecasting a roll of 42,731 in 2016/17 which, when compared against the 2012 capacity, leaves an excess of 1,627 spare places.