School wins appeal to admit more pupils

The school can now admit more pupils after the initial rejection was overturned

An "exceptional" primary school will be able to admit more pupils after it successfully appealed a council's decision.

The Heights Primary School in Caversham, Reading, applied to admit 420 pupils, up from its current roll of 350, but Reading councillors rejected the application in December 2024.

They said increasing the number of pupils at the school, graded outstanding at its last full Ofsted inspection in 2017, could "threaten the viability and sustainability" of other undersubscribed schools nearby.

But the Planning Inspectorate found the school's appeal should be granted and that admitting more pupils would not conflict with any authority planning policy.

Ofsted said the school had "high aspiration for all pupils" and that their learning was "at the centre of everything it does" when inspectors last visited in October 2024.

Hayley Harrison, the school's head teacher, said she was "proud" to lead a "sought-after school" and was "delighted that our excellent provision will be able to be accessed by more children".

She added: "The Planning Inspectorate visited us and recognised that increasing our provision of 10 children per year group would greatly benefit our local families and give them the choice of education they have the right to."

Reading Borough Council was approached to comment.