A RESEARCH group is warning Essex must build 55 new schools before 2020 to meet growing numbers of primary and secondary pupils.

The Scape Group says it is the equivalent of 613 new classrooms.

The research, based on Department for Education figures, sits alongside a projection which will see the number of primary school pupils in England rise by 8.65 per cent by 2020.

Secondary school pupils across the country are set to increase by 12 per cent in the same period.

Mark Robinson, chief executive of the public sector Scape Group, said: "The country will soon start to feel the full weight of the impending boom in pupil numbers, and we’re already seeing unprecedented pressure on school places.

"A radical new wave of school-building must be a top priority for government."

Ray Gooding, Essex County Council cabinet member for education and lifelong learning, said the council's figures recognised the "challenge" and said County Hall education bosses' projections show more than 30,000 new school places must be created by 2026.

He added: "To date, our fantastic track record of investment in new school places has meant we have continued to be able to offer the vast majority of pupils a place at one of their parents’ top preferences.

"We remain committed to ensuring Essex has the infrastructure it needs to grow and are already planning to spend about £360million creating thousands of new school places across the county over the next three years.

"We will continue to work closely with our partners, including schools, district and borough councils and housing providers, to carefully assess future demand."

The figures have been published as plans for a brand new primary school, catering for 480 pupils is set to be built in Colchester.

It will be run by The Reach2 Colchester academy and its location has not been finalised.

A second primary school and a secondary school have also been given the go-ahead in the town by Government education bosses.

The Gilberd School, Colchester County High School for Girls and Manningtree High School are jointly behind the bid.

The schools will be named the Trinity College and will be built on land between Mile End Road and south of the A12.

They are expected to take a total of 1,170 pupils.