Parents and residents will get a first look at exciting new plans for the expansion of Little Waltham Primary School.

The proposals will be available to view at a public exhibition at the school between 2.30pm and 7pm on Tuesday 6 October.

The £851,000 project, funded by Essex County Council, would see the school become a full one form of entry primary.

Two new classrooms would be built and linked to the existing school building via a covered walkway, increasing the school’s capacity by 70 pupils.

It can currently accommodate 140 pupils (20 per year group), but the expansion would allow it to take 210 (30 pupils per year group).

Boards illustrating the proposed floor plans and design will be available at the exhibition and council officers will be on hand to discuss the proposals.

Details of the plans and a questionnaire will also be published on the Essex Insight website (www.essexinsight.org.uk) during the consultation period, which starts on Tuesday 6 October and ends at the close of business on Tuesday 13 October.

Cllr Ray Gooding, Essex County Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: “North Chelmsford, like much of Essex, is growing rapidly and the demand for school places is also rising.

“We are committed to ensuring that we have the supply to meet that demand and are planning to spend about £200million over the next five years on creating new school places.

“These proposals at Little Waltham Primary School are much-needed and would allow it to become a full one form of entry primary school. I would encourage parents and residents to have their say by taking part in the consultation process.”

Liz Maycock, headteacher of Little Waltham Primary School, said: “With increasing strain being placed on smaller schools, two additional classes will sustain Little Waltham School as a village school, serving its local community, into the future.

“Expanding to a one form entry school will enable us to organise our curriculum with greater ease, so we can continue to provide excellent learning opportunities for our pupils.”

Subject to the outcome of the consultation and the planning process, it is hoped the new classrooms should be open for the start of the new academic year in September 2016.