Proposals to expand a primary school to create a new secondary school have been given the go-ahead.

The plans for Whitefriars Community School in Wealdstone include the permanent expansion of the age range to include secondary school pupils.

Harrow Borough Council says the decision to expand the Whitefriars Avenue school and create a new secondary will help the authority fulfil its statutory duty to provide sufficient school places in its area.

Cabinet member for schools Councillor Janet Mote said an all-through school, would be "a great addition" to Wealdstone.

She Cllr Mote said the council will develop a planning application and must seek the views of neighbours and parents before any development can take place

She added: “It will allow us to provide vitally-needed school places, as well as offering modern facilities to teach children and for the community.

“We hope to develop any proposals in line with the school’s plans to convert to an academy, and will work with them and the local community to ensure that the development provides facilities for both.

“While we realise there will be some hurdles, we are hopeful that by March we will be in a position to make a decision about the future size and age range of Whitefriars Community School."

The new school will include the site in Whitefriars Avenue and also the Harrow Teachers Centre next to the school in Tudor Road.

Under the plans intake for the school would be phased in over time with the first Year 7 class starting at the new school in September 2015.

The expansion proposals would expand the school to an 'all-through' school for children aged four to 16.

It would offer three forms of entry, 90 places in each year group, to primary-aged children, and five forms of entry to secondary-aged children, 150 places per year group.