OVERCROWDING fears at a Blackburn school have seen plans revealed for a new two-storey extension.

St Wilfrid’s CE Academy in Duckworth Street has submitted a proposal for the building which would provide accommodation for sixth form students, exam and dining space, six new classrooms and a larger hall.

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The school’s published admission number including the sixth form is 1,630 but the current building can only hold 1,537 and there have been issues with timetabling recently due to overcrowding, the school has said.

It has been proposed that the new site will be next to the sixth form building to reduce the strain on current room usage.

Staff and student levels will not be increased if the plan is approved, the school has confirmed.

Principal Catherine Huddleston, in a letter to Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “With the changing nature of the intake and overcrowding both of classrooms and public areas it has become a priority of the governors to identify options to provide more flexible space and in particular add vital alternatives for lunchtime and examinations.

“The proposals have been designed to deal with existing capacity issues and are not envisaged to increase student or staff levels.

“The current lack of available space brings great challenges and diverts management time when formulating the annual timetable in order to make it work.

“Learning groups are often timetabled in to rooms not wholly suitable for the curriculum.

“On occasions multiple groups are timetabled in the same space.”

The new site will also provide a second assembly base and a new PE venue as well as storage space for furniture and table tennis tables.

Miss Huddleston said: “The proposed new hall space will alleviate worrying crowding and throughput issues encountered on a daily basis during lunchtime.

“There are health and safety concerns relating to the current situation and significant additional staffing costs are diverted in managing this.

“The new space will provide a much-needed examination base, second assembly space and PE venue.”

Wheelchair access will be provided to all parts of the new building and there will be a new toilet and platform lift.

Cllr Jim Smith, who represents the Mill Hill ward, said: “St Wilf’s is an excellent school and children there need plenty of space to learn.

“I welcome this development which will be very positive for the school if it is permitted.”

A final decision is set to be made by the council in the coming months.