extra pupils at one of Lancashire's leading primary schools could go ahead

Lancashire County Council's cabinet has published a statutory notice regarding the proposal to expand Barrow Primary School, Clitheroe.

If it goes ahead, the proposal would allow the school on Old Row, which has been judged to be Outstanding by Ofsted, to accept 10 extra pupils each September with effect from 2019.

The current school building would be expanded on the existing site to accommodate the extra pupils.

The number of pupils who are admitted every year would increase from 20 to 30, increasing the capacity of the building from 140 to 210.

County Councillor Susie Charles, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Schools, said: "Local housing developmentS in the Ribble Valley has led to increased demand for places in the area.

"These proposals look to provide those places by expanding existing schools rather than establishing new schools, in line with the council's policy.

"This means that there is always a high demand to attend the school.

"Hopefully the expansion would ease pressure on school places in the area."

Once the statutory notice has been published, there will be a six-week period during which representations can be made about the proposals, before decisions are taken.