A PRIMARY school in Burnley is bucking the trend and seeking permission to expand because of rising rolls.

Unlike neighbouring Pendle, Burnley’s school-age population has been gradually decreasing in recent years.

But St Augustine’s RC Primary, in Lowerhouse Road, is taking on more pupils.

And it has a shortgage of adequately-sized classrooms.

Plans have been submitted to the borough council for a 15-metre long extension, to enable two reception classrooms to be created.

But in the longer term, it is believed that a major first floor extension will be required to meet the current demand.

Planning agent Mike Bennett said in a report: “St Augustine’s has a rising roll and a shortage of adequately-sized classrooms.

“They have been operating on a reduced number of class bases.

“And from this September they require an additional classroom.”

Mr Bennett says that the extension was chosen in this location so that it did not lead to the loss of playground space – which is at a premium.

Part of the boundary wall will be fashioned into a parapet to prevent people being able to climb onto the school’s roof, town hall development control officials have been told.

The official roll for St Augustine’s, according to its latest inspection by education watchdog Ofsted, is 173, and the school was said to be ‘good and rapidly improving’.