EXPANSION plans for a popular Northwich school including a new classroom block and sports court have been unveiled.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has submitted proposals for the extension on behalf of The County High School in Leftwich, which would enable it to permanently expand its intake from 195 pupils a year to 210.

The school on Granville Road has an outstanding Ofsted rating and is currently oversubscribed.

The plans a single-storey school building with new vehicle access, changes to the parking area - including creating four electric vehicle charging spaces - and a new outdoor sports court for netball and tennis. The plans also include 60 cycle spaces for staff and pupils and an outside dining area with picnic tables.

A design statement said: “Cheshire West and Chester Council has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient available school places in the local area.

“Following analysis of the present and future need for secondary school places within the Northwich area, it has been identified that the County High School requires expansion by 0.5 forms of entry, a total of 75 places across the school."

The school opened in 1957 as the Northwich County Grammar School for Girls. It was later known as Leftwich High School until the early 1990s before becoming the County High School Leftwich.

It became a comprehensive in September 1978, with sixth form pupils from the school and the former Sir John Deane’s Grammar School going to the new Sir John Deane’s College.

The school converted to academy status in September 2012 and is now part of the Sir John Brunner Foundation academy trust.

The report added: “Over the years, the school has remained static with regard to its respective footprint with minimal effect on properties.

“The only notable change externally has been the introduction of the new staff/visitor car park at the North East of the site which was accommodated through the removal of some small structures onsite in 2018.”

No date has yet been set for a decision.

The plans can be viewed by searching reference 22/01921/FUL on the council's online planning portal.