FORMAL consultation on plans to increase the number of pupils at an Oxford primary school begins today.

Oxfordshire County Council has published a statutory notice for an increase in Wood Farm Primary School’s annual admissions of new pupils from 45 to 60.

Michael Waine, the council’s cabinet member for schools improvement, said: “This proposal ties in with plans to rebuild Wood Farm Primary School and is at a time when the demand for school places in Oxford is on the rise. The public will have the opportunity to give their thoughts on the proposals for the school and I would encourage people to have their say.”

If approved, the scheme would eventually see the school, in Titup Hall Drive, grow from 252 children in years one to six to 360.

The four-week formal consultation follows informal discussions last autumn about the proposals. At that point six people responded to the consultation, none of whom objected to the scheme.

The school is set to be rebuilt at a cost of £11.5m as part of the Government’s primary capital programme, which would eventually see 12 classrooms on site for Key Stage One and Two pupils, and rooms for foundation stage pupils.

If no representations are made during the formal consultation, Mr Waine will make a final decision on the proposals but the decision will be transferred to the council’s cabinet if comments are made.

To comment on the proposal, see oxfordshire.gov.uk or write to Barbara Chillman, Principal Officer School Organisation, Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, New Road, Oxford, OX1 1ND.