PARENTS in Redbourn have been warned that it is “crunch time” to pressure the county council into creating an additional reception class at the village school.

With 2008 a boom year for babies in the village there is likely to be an extra 30 youngsters needing reception places next year, according to Redbourn Action Group for Schools (RAGS).

The group has been lobbying Herts county council to provide an extra class at the over-subscribed Redbourn Infant and Nursery School. The council has acknowledged a forecast deficit for Redbourn next year and has been discussing the situation with residents.

However Julia Merritt, of RAGS, said: “With the deadline of January 15 2012 to apply for school places looming, now is the time for action.

“If parents love Redbourn as much as we do, the message is this: do not be put off by the current lack of places for September 2012.

“You should apply for your place and with sufficient numbers the school should be able to expand and accommodate an extra class.”

She added: “With the school admission process open and applications being taken, this is really the crunch time for our campaign.”

Parents are worried about the fragmentation of the community and want children attending their local school rather than being forced to travel to neighbouring areas, often up to seven miles away.

Julia said: “We really hope all of our hard work will come to fruition and an additional class created to allow all Redbourn children to attend their local school at the heart of our village.

“The council is supportive, but the final hurdle is when the numbers come in. It’s cheaper to put in another classroom than build another school.”

She said that while the campaign began as an issue for local parents, it did not exclude those outside the village applying for a reception place at the school.

There is more information on RAGS on Facebook, or by email: redbournschoolplaces2012@yahoo.com