A GREENOCK-born MSP has warned Scotland's education system is being 'stretched beyond breaking point' after figures revealed two-thirds of Inverclyde's high schools have pupil rolls greater than their maximum capacity.

According to the most recent school estate statistics published by the Scottish Government, four out of the six secondary schools in the district are operating beyond capacity, while a further local high school has a roll of between 90 and 100 per cent of the limit.

Of the 20 primary schools in the area, none are at capacity - with just two working with a pupil roll 90-100 per cent of their capacity.

West Scotland Conservative MSP Jamie Greene claims the data proves that the needs of pupils and teachers are being 'ignored' by the Scottish Government.

He said: “These figures are a stark reminder of the challenges being faced by teachers and pupils across Scotland. Sadly, they are also a reminder of this government’s failure to address them.

“It is clear that our schools and teachers are not being provided with the resources to provide the high standard of education they are capable of. Unfortunately, it is school pupils who will lose out as a result of this neglect.

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“The SNP government must finally face up to the reality facing our education system. Teachers and pupils are rightly feeling ignored and neglected, and we are increasingly seeing this reflected in classroom environments."

The publication also ranks four of Inverclyde's primary schools as being in 'good' condition, while the remaining 16 are rated as 'satisfactory'.

Meanwhile, all six secondary schools, as well as the district's special schools, are rated as 'satisfactory'.

Inverclyde Council has built five new schools since the 2012/13 financial year, while 11 have been substantially refurbished over the last decade.

A council spokesperson said: "Each local authority area is responsible for determining appropriate occupancy levels for their schools depending on a wide range of factors, including the availability of space and pupil numbers, in line with national guidance.

“School rolls fluctuate regularly meaning they can from time to time be over or under our suggested capacity. This is often not by very much and is something we can accommodate appropriately.

“While some of our schools can be classed as ‘over capacity’, that does not mean to say that they are cramped or that there is any negative impact on the learning experience of our young people or indeed the working conditions of our staff.

“In Inverclyde, we are in a fortunate position of having one of the newest and most modern schools estates meaning there is more space and scope for accommodating additional pupils as and when required.

“Two of our secondary schools are also in a unique position of being under the one roof within a shared campus which, again, offers a greater degree of flexibility due to shared spaces.

“That being said, we do monitor the situation closely and with careful management of time and space in a school, reduce the impact that physical and non-physical factors have on a school's capacity.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “A quality learning environment is vital for young people’s development, and investment by the Scottish Government has meant that since 2007, the number of schools in ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ condition has increased from 61 per cent to 90.4 per cent - seeing a 77 per cent reduction in pupils educated in sub-standard conditions.

“While the management of school estates is the responsibility of local authorities, we intend to build on this progress through the £2bn learning estate investment programme, which will benefit tens of thousands of children and young people.

“We are currently giving careful consideration to local authorities’ bids for phase three of the programme and intend to announce the successful bids soon.”