The admission by Oxfordshire County Council that it has miscalculated the number of primary school places needed in Oxford will hardly inspire confidence among parents.

Unexpected pressure on places meant 48 children were not given a place at their designated school in Oxford this year — while six had to find places outside the city.

Opposition councillors have jumped on the error, calling it a “mess”.

County Hall has been left red-faced after admitting its calculations were well off target.

We hope Michael Waine, the man in charge and himself a former primary school headteacher, has a plan of action.

As we have reported before, educational achievement across the county has been a millstone around County Hall’s neck for many years. Council leaders have repeatedly called for improvements across the board.

But it seems like a hollow call if there are not enough places to go round in the first place.