More local school places for Cheltenham children have been secured after the decision to expand Leckhampton C of E Primary School has been approved.

Gloucestershire County Council will go ahead with plans to expand Leckhampton C of E Primary School in Cheltenham, by one form of entry, creating much needed pupil places for an extra 210 local children.

The county council has a statutory duty to make sure there are enough school places for all 4 to 16 year olds in the county.

Like other areas of the county, in the south of Cheltenham the demand for school spaces is rising.

The school currently offer 420 places for children aged 4 - 11 but the demand for places in the area is much higher.

Last spring, parents and the local Leckhampton community were asked for their views on the proposals. A formal consultation to consider the proposal to permanently increase the school's reception intake from 60 places to 90 from September 2019 ran from 8 May to 5 June 2018. All responses were considered before the lead cabinet member took the decision to publish the Statutory Notice on 6 September 2018.

Responses to the Statutory Notice were also considered prior to the decision.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for economy, skills and growth, said: "We must make sure that there are enough school places throughout the county for our children - that is a priority.

"The additional places will make a huge difference to families in the area, and plans for the new buildings will be a really welcome addition to the school by providing an even better learning and working environment for pupils and staff."

Sam Porter, head teacher at Leckhampton C of E Primary School, said: "As a school, we look forward to working with Gloucestershire County Council, parents and the wider community on this exciting project, which will not only provide more spaces for local children but enable us to enhance the learning environment for everyone."

A drop in for parents and the local community will be taking place in the coming months which will give the opportunity to look at some options for the building work required to accommodate the extra spaces.