The rising birth rate is adding to the pressure on already-oversubscribed schools. Data from the Office of National Statistics has shown fertility rates are at their highest in 35 years, at 1.65 children per woman. This will add pressure on schools which are forecasting a crisis as demand for places in many areas outstrips supply. Cambridgeshire CC estimates there will be 1,507 children ready to start primary school in 2011 β but there are currently only 992 places. Council leaders are not clear why some schools are under pressure and others are not. An LGA spokesman said: βThe pressure we are seeing on school places could be a combination of a soaring birth rate and the recession forcing people to keep their children in state school. And people who might move from the city to the country to bring up their children cannot move because of the housing market, which is seeing pressure put on schools in London. There are also some schools in some areas which have places available.'