Preston primary school to double intake to meet demand for places

The school, on the outskirts of Preston, will move to a two-class intake

A primary school will almost double its number of new starters next year as it plans to take in two classes instead of one for a one-year trial.

Broughton-in-Amounderness Church of England Primary School, near Preston, will increase its admission number from 35 to 60 for the 2024/25 academic year.

Lancashire County Council approved the change for one year, to meet the increase in local demand for places.

It agreed to hold a public consultation into the option of making it permanent.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the temporary expansion could be accommodated within the existing building, but if the increase were to be made permanent, additional space would be required.

The Department for Education said the voluntary-aided school - which is operated by the Diocese of Blackburn - currently has a roll call of 298 pupils, whereas its official capacity is only 245.

The council has scrapped plans to permanently expand Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Primary School in nearby Nelson by 15 places, as it said there was no longer a need in the long term.

The authority has also approved a change to the budget for the previously-agreed expansion of Longridge High School in Ribble Valley.

The admission number for the Preston Road school increased by 15 pupils this September and will expand by a further 30 from September 2024.