These are the most undersubscribed secondary schools in Worcestershire

Despite the unfilled places some schools in the county were overcrowded during the academic year 2020/2021. 

The new figures have been released by the Department for Education and it is the first data of its kind to be published since the pandemic. 

The data shows 37,050 pupils filled 43,103 places meaning overall there were 6,302 unfilled places at Worcestershire schools. 

Secondary schools also include the county's middle schools, in the three-tier system.

A school is under capacity when the number of potential places at a school is greater than number of pupils enrolled.

The Chase School in Malvern was one of the highest undersubscribed schools in Worcestershire which had 1,289 pupils filling 1,679 places. 

Christopher Whitehead Language College was the highest Worcester school on the list, which had 1,428 pupils to 1,640 places. 

The highest undersubscribed Evesham school was Blackminster Middle School, which had 205 pupils for its 390 places.

Meanwhile the data also reveals that Hanley Castle High School was one of the most overcrowded schools in Worcestershire, with 1,067 pupils but 1,023 official places available.

A school is 'overcrowded' when it is in excess of capacity as the number of pupils enrolled is greater than the number of places.

Prince Henry's High School was the highest Evesham oversubscribed school on the list, with 1,273 pupils but 1,232 places. 

No Malvern school made the list for being overcrowded. 

Worcestershire County Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member for education, said: “There are a number of factors behind the increase in school numbers across the county.

"Growth of pupil numbers has been felt across some urban areas of Worcestershire. The county is also seeing a significant level of new housing either being built or planned as the popularity of the county grows.

"We support where possible parental preference for choice of school and we work closely with primary, first, middle and secondary schools in Worcestershire to ensure they are able to sufficiently support higher numbers of pupils where needed.

"Higher primary pupil numbers from previous years have now begun to reach secondary transfer age, and those schools in three-tier systems are already experiencing higher numbers transferring through to middle schools. 

"The last two years saw the effects of lower birth rates on primary and first schools, which is expected to continue over the next few years.

"The number of children in primary year groups in Worcestershire is likely to continue to increase to peak numbers by 2023.  

"The number of pupils in secondary schools has begun to increase in recent years after several years of lower numbers.”