A BATTLE for money to ensure there are enough primary school places for children has been won ­— but the war is not over.

Education chiefs yesterday approved plans to expand popular primary schools to meet an "unprecedented" demand for places after months of wrangling for cash with the department for education.

The green light was given as it emerged that on average Bolton have some of the biggest class sizes in the country.

Figures show that in key stage one there are 17 classes which have between 31-35 pupils taught by one teacher. The average class stands at 28.4 . In key stage two there are 126 classes with 31 to 35 pupils and one class of more 36 or more pupils. The average class size is 29.4 ­— the joint highest in the country.

Cllr Ann Cunliffe, Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for children, said that the programme to expand primary schools would go to addressing class sizes.

She said about the fight for money: "It was a constant battle. I personally find it very very frustrating because at the end of the day if the figures say it all they should be using those figures and it should not be a battle, it's in black and white, it's a necessity for our children.

Cllr Cunliffe added:"The money that we have been given is future money, which we have drawn on early and I do have my concerns about that ­— what are we going to in the future as our population grows.

"After that we don't now."

She said: "We have to look at future housing development, but Bolton is a very popular town, we have a lot of things going for us. We have got Logistics North and everything else and people want to come and live in Bolton, it's their preference and with them comes children and they need schools.

"People want to invest in Bolton which is going to fetch in even more people. It really good for Bolton but we have to look at our needs for our children as well."

The council has been given £21.5 million to expand both primary and secondary schools.

As reported in The Bolton News the first schools to be expanded will be SS Osmund and Andrew's RC School in Breightmet and Gaskell Primary School in Bolton.

The council is also exploring the expanding Walmsley CE Primary School "once the approved housebuilding has commenced at the Last Drop site".

The idea is to move away from the model of expanding schools in time for the new academic but rather to move quickly to respond to need as and when with the feasibility study undertaken as soon as possible, which will also look at travel issues.

Cllr Cunliffe said: "At Blackrod School, where I am a school governor, expanding the school has been seen as an opportunity for the whole school. They have remodelled the school and looked at opportunities to bring it up to modern standards."

She praised the department for working to ensure that there was not a school places crisis and that the "system does not crack". Education chiefs said they would continue to fight for money.

The councillor said that the ideal solution would be for local authorities to build new schools, but under current government policy only outside organisations can develop new schools.

"We are accountable for our children and should be accountable for the running of our schools in Bolton," said Cllr Cunliffe.

Future plans include expanding Markland Hill Primary School in Heaton and Bolton St Catherine's Academy in 2019/2020, Gilnow Primary School, Deane, Moorgate Primary in 2020/21 or sooner if required.