PERMISSION has been given for a temporary classroom to be built at Christchurch Infants School to help deal with increasing pupil numbers.

Concerned parents met with education chiefs at Dorset County Council in May after a record number of applicants resulted in 26 children in catchment failed to gain a place at their local school.

After speaking to the school's headteacher and governors, the council agreed to provide an interim solution in the form of a temporary classroom at the school in Addiscombe Road for an additional 30 reception pupils to start in September.

A planning application will be submitted later this year for a second temporary classroom to be added to the site to allow the new pupils to move onto year one in 2014, while the long-term education provision in Christchurch is considered.

Cllr Margaret Phipps, local member for the Christchurch Commons division, said: “Starting school is an important and often nerve-wracking time for both children and their parents, so I'm delighted that we have been able to work with Christchurch Infants and local families to come up with a temporary solution to make sure these children are taught at their catchment school.”