Plans for two new academies and a raft of school expansions have been revealed as part of £20m investment to tackle a shortage in primary places. 

Croydon Council wants academy providers to create new schools in Haling Road, South Croydon and Westway, Broad Green.

It is also plotting expanded classrooms at Cypress in South Norwood and St James the Great in Thornton Heath from September 2014.

The council predicts that the borough will need 53 new classes for each primary year group within four years due to an influx of families moving to the area and an accelerating birth rate.

Councillor Tim Pollard, cabinet member for children, families and learning, said: "One of the council’s biggest priorities is to ensure that every child has access to an appropriate school place, and that they receive an excellent standard of education as a result.

"These new investment plans mean that we will continue to meet the demand for places even if population growth figures are at the highest end of our forecasts.”

Permanent extensions of five other primaries - Downsview, Norbury Manor, Howard, Parish Church and Forestdale - were agreed in December. 

They will provide additional capacity for the September 2013 term.

The council is also seeking an academy provider for a new school in High Street, South Norwood, at the site of the existing Calat building.

It also plans to provide 14 temporary bulge classes from September.