A grammar school in Rochester has been granted planning permission to build 11 new classrooms to meet increasing demand for places.

Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School in Maidstone Road will construct a two-storey building to replace a smaller classroom space described as “no longer fit for purpose”.

It will be located at the back of the existing main buildings.

The boys school, which currently has around 1,300 pupils and is known locally as Rochester Maths, will be admitting 203 new students in September – compared to 180 in 2016.

Speaking last night (August 1), Cllr Habib Tejan (Con) said: “I welcome this proposal.

“This is a very good school that’s been in existence for, I believe, three centuries and producing great men who contribute to our society.

“Any expansion of such an institution should be welcome.”

The school has also been granted permission to provide 10 new parking spaces near the front of the site.

Construction work will take place between 8am-6pm weekdays and 8am-1pm Saturdays.