A COMMUNITY club could be used as extra space for school children in Earley, a report has revealed.

Radstock Community Centre in Radstock Lane, Earley, and the West Berkshire Adoption Service in Silverdale Road have both been earmarked as possible solutions to the squeeze on school places.

Officers at Wokingham Borough Council said the use of existing buildings would "obviate the need for investment in new construction".

It has been suggested that people using the shared facilities might have to be shipped out to provide extra space, should the council decide to use them.

The report, submitted by the Department for Children's Services, highlights the need for extra school places across the town, blaming high levels of immigration and insufficient primary schools in Reading for a "surge" in demand.

The report reads: "For some of the schools under consideration, colocation with other services/users presents both an obstacle and an opportunity.

"Any decision to expand a school site with shared use would require an alternative solution to be identified for the service or user concerned.

"The strategic assets team are currently carrying out a review of school sites with dual use and the results will be taken into account in any recommendations. This will be a priority over the next two-to-three weeks."

The report also suggests Loddon Primary School in Silverdale Road, Earley, is expanded by at least 30 school places in 2016.

A number of parents complained to the borough council this year when their children were allocated to schools more than four miles away from their homes.

The report continues: "An analysis of ONS data supports the premise that the surge in demand experienced in Earley recently is unlikely to be a short term 'blip'.

"Net inflow from Reading (Borough) is due to the popularity of Earley schools, high levels of immigration in Reading and insufficient primary provision in Reading.

"If the impact of new families has been under estimated then further provision would be required. Bearing in mind the uncertainty behind the predictions the most effective way to provide a buffer would be to expand."

Cllr Charlotte Haitham-Taylor, executive member for children’s services, highlighted the report is simply an "update" and no executive decisions have been made.

She said: "The report is simply taking stock and looking at how primary education provision in the borough is developing."

Read the report here: http://bit.ly/1OkYbZL