A primary school is set to expand to provide more than 100 new places to meet a shortfall in Wickford.

Abacus Primary School, in Tresco Way, has launched a public consultation exercise over plans to admit an extra 15 pupils each year by building three classrooms.

The expansion would see 60 pupils, instead of the current 45, admitted each year from September 2016, which would eventually see the school roll increased from 315 to 420 children.

The school has also applied to build an all-weather sports pitch.

In a letter to parents, chairman of governors, Stewart Cassidy, said: “Essex County Council aims to create more places for children within our local community.

“Abacus is a very popular school.

“Each year, the number of parents selecting Abacus as the first choice for their child is far greater than the number of places available.

“We firmly believe the expansion would benefit Abacus in many ways.

“The school would become an even bigger and more important part of the local community, and expanding the building will provide better facilities and education.”

Headteacher Heidi Danniells added: “I have shown more than 100 families around the school this year for only 45 places, so at least we should get more people who will put us down as their first choice.

“At the moment, spaces are so restricted it is just limited to five roads around the school.

“It is an exciting time for us.”

A consultation into the expansion proposals was launched last week and runs until March 23.

Echo:

Concern about lack of school places

An increased birth rate and an influx of families to Wickford could lead to a shortfall of 59 school places a year by 2017.

Essex County Council has estimated 449 reception places will be needed in 2017/18, compared to 390 in the current year.

Proposed new developments in the area include 575 homes on the Runwell Hospital site.

David Harrison, Ukip borough councillor for Wickford Park, believes more needs to be done to tackle the problem, even with the Abacus expansion plans in place. He said: “I think it is important action is taken to expand schools, but we have to ensure there is sufficient room to do so.

“There are also problems with additional car parking.”

Mr Harrison believes secondary schools in the area also need to create more places.

He said: “I think the shortfall of places is significant and more needs to be done in general, because I am not sure the secondary schools have the capacity they need for the future.”