Parents might have to fight for primary school places in Oxford next year, it was claimed last night.

A surge in the number of four-year-olds in the city starting school in September meant 48 children were not given a place at their designated school, while six had to be sent to schools in Kidlington and Wheatley.

There are no spare places at city primary schools for reception age children, prompting fears that parents moving to Oxford might have nowhere nearby to send their children.

In an official document, Oxfordshire County Council admitted its pupil forecasting “failed to provide adequate advance warning of pressure on school places and needs to be revised”.

The Oxford Mail asked County Hall, the local education authority, how many families placed children in reception classes in Oxford after the school year had started in September 2007.

A spokesman replied: “Because entry can be deferred until the child reaches statutory school age, it’s impossible to count the number of placements in city primary schools which were not part of the original allocation of places made in February 2007.”

Last night Liberal Democrat education spokesman Jean Fooks said: “We were told by the council it realised there would be an overspill in April, but it hasn’t done anything about the problem.

“Some schools took in more pupils than they expected, but they can’t keep that up. It’s a mess.

“The council is distinctly embarrassed because it’s admitted its forecasting is well off. The council is trying to defend what is fairly indefensible — the headteacher at Wolvercote Primary School says they are bulging at the seams.”

Almost 1,300 four-year-old currently attend reception classes in the city.

In 1998, the Government passed the Schools Standards and Framework Act placing a duty on local authorities to limit classes to 30 pupils for pupils aged seven and under.

County councillor Michael Waine, cabinet member for schools improvement, said: "Oxford experienced a growth in primary school admissions in September, which resulted in unexpected pressure for places.

"On the basis of the demographic data available, it looks likely September next year will also see pressure on places.

"Steps are being taken to improve the reliability of pupil forecast numbers.”

Across Oxfordshire there were 7,428 places available for reception age children in 2008/09, with 605 still available.