A classroom will be built at The Mount primary school, in Dickerage Lane, New Malden, to make up for the shortfall of school places in the area.

There were 43 children on the waiting list for places and a quick fix had to be found for the next school year.

The core of the problem existed around the New Malden area where 20 children were on the waiting list.

But now a temporary class of 30 will mean every child in the borough should have a place.

There are also vacancies in Latchmere School, in Latchmere Road, Kingston, which children living in the north of the borough could take.

Speaking at a council meeting on Tuesday, executive member for young people and life long learning Councillor Martin Blakebrough said: "We have had to deal with this issue quickly and talk to schools, all of which have been incredibly supportive."

The Mount already has 369 children on its roll but was considered the most suited to the expansion because of its central location in the Maldens and Coombe neighbourhood, the amount of available land and the fact that no staff members are set to leave over the summer.

A temporary classroom will be erected at a cost of around £40,000 and any extra costs incurred will be met by the council. The situation will be reassessed after one year.

In the longer term the problem is expected to continue for several years but the option to build a new school is not looking favourable at this time.

July 11, 2002 10:30