Education chiefs are planning to axe 700 York primary school places in anticipation of a sharp drop in pupil numbers.

But an extra 250 places are set to be created in secondary schools to meet a temporary increase in the number of older pupils Primary pupil numbers are forecast to fall by six per cent over the next five years, creating an excess of school places across the city, says City of York Council.

But numbers of pupils of secondary school age are expected to rise by between seven and 10 per cent, creating a short-term need for additional places.

However, even secondary pupil numbers are expected to fall after 2004 as the decline in the juvenile population works through the system - although the picture is uneven, with some areas of the city likely to continue needing more places.

A draft school organisation plan has now been published by the authority, proposing the 700 reduction in primary places and 250 increase in secondary places "in areas of the city where population is highest."

A council spokesman said there were no plans to close schools, although there could be amalgamations between junior and infants schools on the same site. The reductions would also be met by measures such as the removal of temporary classrooms, and by making greater use of premises for other activities, such as nurseries and community facilities.

The spokesman said there were currently 15,300 primary school places in York but only 13,900 pupils on roll before the anticipated decrease in numbers, and the council wanted to reduce surplus places to about ten per cent of capacity.

A major consultation exercise is to be launched by the council, including a public meeting, the date and venue of which has not yet been agreed.

People are asked to submit their views by August 1, with the final plan to be published by the beginning of November.

The spokesman added that proposed links between York primary and secondary schools were being treated as a separate issue, with a report on the authority's revised proposals coming out shortly.

A spokesman for the National Association of Head Teachers said it was difficult to comment on the plans until they had been studied closely, but the association would have concerns about possible redundancies for heads and deputies if schools were amalgamated.

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