PLANS to expand a primary school to meet demand in the area have been submitted to the council which would also address 'safeguarding concerns'.

Lent Rise Primary School in Coulson Way, Burnham has submitted the plans to Bucks County Council for its expansion, which would provide a larger school hall, and new servery, classroom, staff room and reception area.

Admissions data in September last year revealed an unexpected rise in the number of applications received from parents living in the Lent Rise area, and the council asked the school to take an additional reception class, which it agreed to.

The expansion would allow extra space for the additional class to accommodate all 450 pupils with the building work funded by Bucks County Council and set to be completed by 2017 if approved.

The design and access statement stated that the changes would also address some 'serious safeguarding issues', as visitors currently have to walk through the playground and parts of the school unaccompanied to reach the reception.

Headteacher Jill Watson said: "At the minute the additional class is in the reception year group and the building work will meet the needs of the whole school, with classrooms, a lunch hall and an assembly hall.

"It also addresses the safety part and it will be hugely beneficial to the community."

She added: "I am very excited by the potential that these improvements will bring to our school. Not only will they make our school environment safer and more accessible to our school community but they will enable us to continue providing the high standard of education that we always strive for all of our children, now and in the future."

The plans were submitted on Thursday last week and a decision is expected by April 28.