ONE of the town's most prestigious grammar schools has announced plans to expand.

Governors at Kendrick School in Reading launched a consultation last week, outlining proposals to increase the school's size.

School chiefs said they want to tackle the increasing demand for secondary school places across the borough.

Should the plans go ahead, Kendrick will expand to allow 128 students per year, rather than the current 96.

A post on the school's website, reads: "If successful with our government capital bid, we anticipate that the first four form entry intake will be in September 2020, expanding in stages each year thereafter by 32 students until 2024. This will result in our numbers on roll in Years 7 to 11 increasing from 480 to 640 by 2024.

"In recent months we have been undertaking a process to identify how we can create additional school places at Kendrick School and more recently have had initial discussions with the Local Authority (LA) on how any proposed increase may benefit disadvantaged students in Reading.

"A planning proposal will be submitted to the Planning Department at Reading Borough Council to build additional classrooms and laboratories to facilitate the increased student population. This will form part of our application to the Department for Education for the investment needed."

Bosses at the selective school believe the proposed expansion is manageable after a site management review was carried out.

An expansion would also benefit disadvantaged students, governors said.

Parents have been invited to a consultation evening on Thursday, June 21, at 7pm.

Attendees will be able to ask questions about the expansion proposals.

Visit www.kendrick.reading.sch.uk to respond to the consultation questionnaire or send comments to aemberson@kendrick.reading.sch.uk by July 5.