MALPAS'S main primary school is set for a major expansion from September 2018.

Malpas Alport Endowed Primary School has proposed expanding its capacity by almost a third from 210 places to 315 places.

The changes will see the number of spaces available for its Reception Year jump from 30 to 45, creating a gradual increase.

A proposal published by Cheshire West and Chester Council last week revealed how the school is over-subscribed in five out of its seven year groups and a shortfall in all year groups is predicted in the future.

It added: “In order to meet community needs the school is currently operating with classes of up to 41 pupils.

“The school and the council consider such class sizes to be detrimental to the ability to sustain education of the quality that the school currently provides and the standard that the school aspires to achieve.

“Implementation of the proposal will enable the school to progressively move towards organising learning around a class size of 30 pupils.”

The expansion would see the creation of additional classrooms, as well as extending the school hall, with a budget set at £1.51 million.

It was first put to parents in 2015 and followed by two consultations, the second of which concluded in February. The latest consultation ends on Monday, May 15, and is available at www.cheshirewestand chester.gov.uk/malpasprimaryconsultation

Meanwhile, the school has confirmed it is in discussions to bring pre-school provision back to Malpas following the closure of Barika at the end of the spring term.

It had been hoped that the school would take over the provision managed by Sara Kinsey immediately until at least the end of the 2017/18 academic year, but just days before the closure it was confirmed that that would not be possible.

A spokesperson for the school said: “The school is working with the local authority in order to provide pre-school provision at Malpas Alport Primary School.”