A SCHOOL in Edgware has been given the green light for expansion, in the hope it will aid increasing demand for primary school places in the borough.

Barnet council’s cabinet formally agreed on the expansion of Broadfields Primary School, in Roseberry Drive, at a meeting on Monday night.

There will be an extension to the existing school building, which should be completed in September 2012, and it will go from two to three forms of entry in September 2011.

The school’s current intake of 420 pupils is set to increase, with proposals for the number of reception places to rise from 60 to 90 next year.

Children are accepted regardless of academic ability, gender, faith or parents’ ability to pay.

Broadfields has a "good" Ofsted rating for overall effectiveness and capacity for sustained improvement and a number of areas have been judged "outstanding."

The proposal is in line with the City of London’s Corporate Plan to ensure sufficient primary places are available in the right areas.

Technical consultants have carried out a cost analysis showing the expansion is achievable within a £3 million budget.

Councillor Andrew Harper, cabinet member for schools, said: "This is a good way of addressing the pressures on primary schools – it is a very good development and it represents very good value for money."

The school falls in the Edgware ward represented by Councillor Helena Hart, cabinet member for public health, who said she is enthusiastic about its growth.

She said: "Expanding successful schools is the way forward and here we have the perfect opportunity because the school has the land."

Cllr Harper added: "Working with and expanding such schools is important for the borough and it is extremely good we have the direction from the coalition Government."