Pupil numbers in Shropshire will increase at a slower rate than in many other parts of the UK, education chiefs have forecast. Britain’s population is expected to rise, a report says.

But Shropshire has had a much lower long-term inward migration of families compared to city areas, it adds.

The county also has lower fertility rates and a much lower proportion of women of child-bearing age.

The report is being presented to the Shropshire Council cabinet tomorrow when members will be asked to agree a major public consultation aimed at giving people the chance to help shape the future of county schools in the face of falling pupil numbers and severe funding cuts.

“Increases in Shropshire’s population and pupil numbers are forecast to take place later than the overall national position, and the percentage increase from the minimum point, when reached, is forecast to be lower,” says the report.

Figures show the number of surplus places in primary schools rising from 15.4 per cent this year to 17 per cent in 2011 and then after a slight dip increasing again to 17. 4 per cent in 2014.

In the secondary sector, surplus capacity is currently nine per cent but over the next four years it will have risen to 15.7 per cent.

The report says that birth rates and population trends need to be monitored closely.

The consultation is planned to last 16 weeks.