THE planned expansion of St Oswald’s School in Guiseley has moved a step closer with the granting of a contract for the building work.

A two-storey extension will be built over the summer to house four new classrooms and other facilities to enable the junior school to become a primary school.

St Oswald’s, which will also have other work done on existing buildings, will then be able to admit 60 into the reception class each year.

The £1.3 million contract for the work has been awarded to the Strategic Team Group and follows months of debate and consultation with local people.

Work is scheduled to be completed during mid-August 2015 ready for the new school year in September.

At the moment the school takes 90 children into year three three, but from September that figure will be cut to 60, with another 60 being accepted into reception. The change will mean the school will have a wider age range but with fewer children per year.

Head teacher Rupert Madeley said the change was being widely welcomed by parents.

He added: “We are very excited as a school, and the transition from a junior school to a primary school is a really positive step for us.

“Parents are very supportive and very positive and we have had lots of interest shown.”

He said the school would ultimately have 14 classes compared to its current 12.

The decision to award the contract has been welcomed by ward councillors for Guiseley and Rawdon.

Cllr Pat Latty said: “I am delighted that the scheme is moving forward. The expansion of St Oswald’s will go some way to addressing the lack of school places in our area. I hope the works can be completed on schedule, ensuring that the school can open in time for September’s new intake of pupils.”

Cllr Paul Wadsworth added: “The expanded St Oswald’s should be ready to welcome the increased number of pupils this September, so it’s vital that the construction work gets started as soon as possible. I’m delighted that the project is progressing.”

But Cllr Graham Latty sounded a note of caution for the future, stressing: “I welcome the expansion of this school which will begin to address the very real need for more pupil places in the area. However, the council’s plans to build more houses in Aireborough will only increase the pressure on our local schools and infrastructure, so this expansion is a long way off being a permanent solution.”

Pressure on school places in Guiseley has been felt for some time but suggestions to improve the situation have often met with criticism.

Plans to expand two Guiseley schools were shelved in September after a campaign of opposition.

Council chiefs were advised not to continue with the proposals for Guiseley Infant and Nursery School and St Oswald’s Junior School, but instead to carry out further consultation in a bid to find a solution to the growing need for places in schools.