Wide variations in primary places in South Norfolk have been revealed by new figures showing some schools having to turn away pupils while others struggle to fill classes.

Diss Mercury: Banham Primary School First Class of 2018. The school has been oversubscribed for the 2019 intake. Picture: Steve AdamsBanham Primary School First Class of 2018. The school has been oversubscribed for the 2019 intake. Picture: Steve Adams (Image: Steve Adams 2018 : 07398 238853)

Thousands of families across Norfolk last month found out where their child will be starting school in the new academic year as primary school.

But admissions data from Norfolk County Council shows while some oversubscribed schools around Diss and surrounding villages had to reuse applications for reception places this September, others had filled only half their number of places.

In total the data, covering 2019/20 reception place offers at 312 primary and infant schools across Norfolk, revealed that 88 schools were oversubscribed as of April 16, while 40 had at least half their places vacant.

As of April 16, the day offers for primary school places were made, oversubscribed schools included Bressingham Primary School, which received 30 applications for its 22 places, and Banham Primary School, where seven youngsters were refused after its 16 places were filled.

A spokeswoman for Banham Primary said its "outstanding" Ofsted rating had historically led to oversubscription.

Forncett St Peter CE VA Primary School had refused six applications after filling its 15 places; and Harleston CE Primary Academy turned away six applicants despite offering two over its 60 places.

Diss Mercury: Construction is under way to almost double the size of Roydon Primary School as part of a £5.75m project. Picture: maximphoto.co.ukConstruction is under way to almost double the size of Roydon Primary School as part of a £5.75m project. Picture: maximphoto.co.uk (Image: maximphoto.co.uk)

Roydon Primary School, which is currently undergoing a £5.75m expansion that will nearly double its capacity to 420 students, also offered three extra places, accepting 38 youngsters, more than its 35 allocated number of places.

Schools with the opposite problem of two few new pupils included Diss Infant Academy and Nursery that had only filled 45 of its 60 places for the September intake.

Manor Field Infant & Nursery School in Long Stratton had offered 47 places but still had 28 vacancies; while Attleborough Primary School had 14 vacancies. Burston Primary School had filled just half of its 10 places, and Bunwell Primary School filled eight of its 15 places.

Dickleburgh CE Primary Academy had five unfilled places; All Saints CE VA Primary in Winfarthing had four; Old Buckenham Primary three; and Scole CE VC Primary had two.