A much-needed extension is in the pipeline for Camelford Primary School.

An application for a new three-classroom permanent modular unit with associated ancillary accommodation, is currently awaiting a decision by Cornwall Council.

It is hoped that the extension will ease the current pressure on classroom sizes, and will create more spaces for children wanting to join the school.

Headteacher, Lee Bacchus, said: “I think it’s something that is needed within the local area. There has been a population increase in the area. We recently had an extension at St Teath for two more classrooms, and other local schools have plenty of year groups that are full to capacity.

“At Camelford the population is set to grow further with all the housing, and there are going to be more children coming in, and we need more spaces.”

The three-class extension will be a building separate but close to the existing school building, on the edge of the playground and field. It will also provide a small staff area, a plant room, washrooms and toilets and a small group activity room for the children.

Mr Bacchus said the extension will allow the school to increase from 34 pupils in each year group up to 45.

“We’re quite pleased about that. It’s quite exciting for the school because 34 is a really difficult number to work with!”

Currently the numbers mean there are lots of split age classes, but with an increase to 45, they would be able to have a class and a half in each year group.

Mr Bacchus said this would be ‘a nice arrangement that would provide a more consistent and stable approach’.

It is hoped that the classrooms will be in place for the start of the summer term.

“Having worked with the council on building an extension at St Teath, hopefully it will come in on time.”

Ground works are expected to start at Easter, with the classrooms in and ready to go before summer.

“There will be minor disruption in terms of play time and the space on the school field, but the last thing we want is a town school that is not able to provide a place for all the children wanting to join us.”

Staff and children at the school are excited about the forthcoming changes, and there is a display in the school entrance area.

Mr Bacchus said: “We’ve not had any negative response to it so far. People understand in the short term there’s the possibility that we may be able to reduce class sizes.”