Primary schools across Hammersmith and Fulham are braced for a surge in admissions in September as a baby boom and the effects of the recession kick-in.
Pressure on places is likely to be toughtest at schools in the north of the Borough, although the Town Hall has dampened fears many parents will be unable to find a good, local school for their child.
The nationwide surge in applications for places comes as more children hit primary school age; wealthier parents decide not to enrol their children in fee paying schools due to the financial squeeze, and sudden population movements, which often cause a spike in admissions in popular central London boroughs.
Local authorities are responsible for expanding class sizes and providing new school rooms based on census data and other information.
Dennis Charman, local teacher and secretary of the borough's branch of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said the dovetailing of the three factors could stretch teaching resources in the borough.
"We have all of these factors probably playing out in the borough. But there's a feeling that the pressure will be felt most in the north, where there is already a pressure on places.
"You can't plan for parents enrolling thier kids in state comprehensives rather than private school, or for a sudden influx of primary school age pupils to the borough, But it is slightly puzzling how local authorities were not prepared for the impact of the baby boom - they have had several years to prepare for it."
Several primary schools in Hammersmith and Fulham have already made plans to expand intake, using new classrooms or adding an extra entry level form.
The Town Hall says its long term aim is to create 'bulge years' for every school or an extra form to cope with demand.
Councillor Sarah Gore, cabinet member for children's service, added: "This year we have created 90 places in the borough's popular schools, including St John's and Brackenbury, and the introduction of a new bilingual class at Holy Cross will help ease the numbers too."
