HUNDREDS of children are being crammed into schools which are full.

Figures from the Department for Education show that in Bolton, 38 primary schools which are already full or above capacity, are accommodating 218 extra pupils, while 59 schools have spare places.

For secondary schools, 134 extra children have been squeezed in. Three Bolton secondary schools are full or over capacity, while 16 other schools have capacity.

The figures were released as Bolton Council embarks on an multi-million pound school expansion programme to increase places at popular schools to ensure there is enough places for children.

Bolton has 19 secondary schools and 97 primary schools.

The primary school population is expected to increase from 28,092 to 29,122 in 2023 and for secondary school numbers are anticipated to rise from 18,811 to 22,984 in 2023.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "Some of our Bolton primary schools agree to take additional pupils in Key Stage Two where there is a need and where they can accommodate them and we have plans to create more places in those parts of the borough where demand is highest.

"This year we were granted early access to funding from the Department for Education to explore further expansion proposals with those primary schools in areas where additional places would be most beneficial.

"Certain secondary schools have an official capacity that is greater than their actual admissions which can show in the figures as unfilled places.

"We are currently working with a number of our secondary schools on expansion plans which will allow them to accommodate the increase in pupils entering Year Seven this September."

In February, the council announced that more than 200 extra high school places will be created this September as £15 million is spent on building work to meet a "desperate" need for demand.

Primary schools in Bolton where classes of more than 30 pupils are "common" will also be expanded to take more pupils thanks to a cash injection of £4.75 million.

More places will be created at primary schools — in Breightmet up to 70 places will be created, in Bromley Cross that figure stands at 105, in Tonge up to 201 places will be created and in Halliwell the number will be 105.

Turton School is currently undergoing a £2.5 million extension and modernisation plans to increase the numbers of pupils who go there and Blackrod Primary School is increasing the pupil capacity from 210 to 315.