SURREY’S primary school population has risen by more than 10,000 since 2010, and by 2,200 in the last year alone, according to new Department for Education figures.

In January 2010, Surrey’s state-funded primary school population stood at 79,500 children. But six years later, in January 2016, this number jumped to 89,700 - a 13 per cent increase.

Over the same period, Surrey’s secondary school population has actually decreased by 822 - from 59,580 to 58,758.

However, Linda Kemeny, Surrey County Council’s cabinet member for schools, skills and educational achievement, says the increased demand for primary school places in the county is now beginning to be felt at secondary level too.

She added: “We know we need to provide 11,000 extra places in our primaries and secondaries over the next five years but face a shortfall of tens of millions of pounds in the funds we need to create them, at a time when our budgets are also under pressure from the rising number of older people needing care.”