PARENTS in Thamesmead say they are struggling to find primary school places for their children.

Many of them who applied for places at schools close to their homes for September, have been told the schools are full.

Instead, they are being offered places at East Wickham Infant School in Welling.

Eight years ago, Bexley closed two Thamesmead primary schools, Southlake and Abbey, because there were too many primary places.

But by 2006 the council had decided to increase the numbers at Castilion and Jubilee primary schools in case more were needed.

Now ward councillor Sandra Bauer claims there is a bulge in the numbers of children looking for primary school places in Thamesmead because of the population growth and there are not enough places in the town’s primary schools to go round.

Gladys Joseph, of Courtland Grove applied for a place at Castilion Primary school for her son Steven aged four-and-a-half.

He is currently in the school’s nursery class.

Mrs Joseph, 42, says she was shocked when he was offered the Welling school instead.

She says she knows a number of other parents in the same situation.

Mrs Joseph said: “I was told the only other school with available places was Normandy Primary School in Erith.”

Her appeal against the council’s decision was turned down.

She said: “Everyone is in tears over this situation.”

Omolara Salami’s daughter Ayomide was also refused a place at Castilion.

She is also at the school’s nursery.

Mrs Salami, 33, of Fleming Way, said: “I went to the business academy to see if it had any places, but I was told it already had a waiting list.”

She would have to take two buses to get to East Wickham, and has turned down the place.

Mrs Salami also lost her appeal to the council and currently Ayomide does not have a school place for September.

A Bexley Council spokeswoman said the council was in talks with school governors in the north of the borough about increasing school places and are supporting plans by Bexley Business Academy to create an extra form of primary school entry this September.

She admitted although every child has a place for September, it may not be at their nearest school.