The Education Policy Institute said areas with schools operating close to or over capacity see teaching staff facing additional demand. A school is at or in excess of capacity when the number of pupils enrolled is greater than or equal to its number of places.
Department for Education figures show 47 primary schools were at or over capacity in Leeds in the 2021-22 academic year.
Jon Andrews, Education Policy Institute head of analysis, said the proportion of schools operating at over capacity is likely to fall in the coming years. He added: "Pupil numbers are already declining in primary, and will soon peak in secondary and special schools. The Department for Education estimate that the total pupil population will fall by over 900,000 between 2022 and 2032.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said it has created almost 1.2 million school places since 2010 and added many more are "in the pipeline". They said: “The vast majority of schools listed as overcapacity are either at or just over recorded capacity, and we work closely with local authorities to make sure they offer a school place to every child in country.”
Here are the 15 most over-capacity primary schools in Leeds.
7. Strawberry Fields Primary School
Strawberry Fields Primary School, Garforth, had 300 school places and 317 pupils on roll, meaning it was 5.7% over capacity. Photo: Google
8. St Chad's Church of England Primary School
St Chad's Church of England Primary School, West Park, had 197 school places and 208 pupils on roll, meaning it was 5.6% over capacity. Photo: Google
9. Carlton Primary School
Carlton Primary School had 300 school places and 315 pupils on roll, meaning it was 5% over capacity. Photo: Google
10. Westgate Primary School
Westgate Primary School, Otley, had 198 school places and 207 pupils on roll, meaning it was 4.5% over capacity. Photo: Jonathan Gawthorpe
11. St Edward's Catholic Primary School
St Edward's Catholic Primary School, Boston Spa, had 157 school places and 164 pupils on roll, meaning it was 4.5% over capacity. Photo: Google
12. Westbrook Lane Primary School
Westbrook Lane Primary School, Horsforth, had 204 school places and 213 pupils on roll, meaning it was 4.4% over capacity. Photo: Google