A report has revealed a “significant growth” in the population of children in Redbridge, just a week after the shadow education secretary asked for more funding for primary school places.

In an annual health report by Public Health England, it was projected that the population of children under the age of four will increase 21.3 per cent from 21,666 in 2011 to 26,274 in 2021.

In the previous ten years the population of the age group had increased by 37.8 per cent from 15,709 to 21,666.

These figures come after the shadow education secretary, Tristram Hunt, last week called for more investment for Redbridge council in dealing with a dearth of primary school places during a visit to Oaks Park High School in Newbury Park.

Recently it was announced a fourth reception class will be introduced at Nightingale Primary School in Ashbourne Avenue, South Woodford, in October 2015.

From 2003 to 2012, annual birth figures grew by nearly 42 per cent, from 3,376 to 4,780 births, an increase of four per cent each year.

In the same timeframe, birth rate in the Church End ward, which covers part of South Woodford, rose by 78.5 per cent, the second highest ward rise in the borough.

The Snaresbrook ward also recorded a 64.1 per cent rise between 2003 and 2012.

The report said: “One explanation for the increased proportion of young children in the Redbridge population is the high fertility rate.

“In 2012, Redbridge’s general fertility rate was 16 per cent higher than the England average.

“Redbridge’s fertility rate has increased by six per cent since 2006, the London rate rose by two per cent.

"The majority of Redbridge wards have shown a significant growth in birth rate in the last decade."

Labour’s Redbridge council deputy leader Cllr Wes Streeting has been contacted for comment.