Assembly Member Andrew Dismore recently wrote a somewhat misleading letter about a shortage of school places in the borough (‘More school places needed’, Your Views, July 3).

His conflation of these two issues shows misunderstanding in itself. There are 75 children placed above number in Barnet, but all those enrolled in community schools will be due to a successful appeal or based on a principle of fair access for those deemed vulnerable.

A class of 31 children is therefore not necessarily about a shortage of school places, but often rather about particular needs. However, as Mr Dismore raises the matter of school places, perhaps he should be reminded that the council is set to add 1,300 new school places this year, bringing the total to 7,852 over the last five years, through expansions and the opening of new schools. The council has a very strong record on delivering new places, dating back to when local MPs Mike Freer and Matthew Offord (then leader and deputy leader of the council) initiated an ambitious and successful school rebuilding plan, which began £88million of investment since 2009.

Unlike Mr Dismore, we support parental choice in education and free schools set up by the local community have played an important role in meeting the requirement for school places. The Conservatives support our families in this regard, with many of the new schools proving both popular and successful. This year, four in five children beginning primary school have been awarded their first choice and more than nine in ten one of their top three. The council knows that this programme must continue and it is in earnest.

Cllr Reuben Thompstone

Con/Golders Green Chairman of Children, Education, Libraries and Safeguarding Committee Barnet Borough Council