There are plans to double the size of an Island school to relieve growing pressure on places.

Rose Street Primary is set to increase capacity from 210 to 420 over the next six years in a £2,700,000 refit.

The school has already taken on an extra class in reception, which is currently being taught in a mobile, but it hopes to have another nursery classroom in the early years area ready by Christmas.

Later on in the school year a new building for Years 4 to 6 is proposed to be installed in the Rose Street, Sheerness, site with six classrooms, a kitchen and communal spaces. Other year groups would remain in the main building.

The outside play area is also planned to be altered and an artificial grass pitch relocated.

Each year group would double, from one class to two, one at a time as the current reception pupils make their way through the school over the next six years. Funding has been allocated from Kent County Council’s Education and Young People’s Services Capital Budget.

Steven Connors, the executive head teacher of the school, called the proposals, “a very exciting development for the families of Sheerness. He said: “There is a shortfall of places for primary aged children on Sheppey and in Sheerness in particular and the shortfall was particularly in the area that Rose Street serves.

“We have been working very closely with KCC to ensure that we have the proper provision and we have a very good plan to develop the school in two phases to give the children the best education that we can.

“Rather than doubling the size of the school tomorrow, we are growing over the next six years. We have been very involved with KCC in designing the provision and making sure it’s what we want.”

A consultation is underway, until October 8, and anyone who would like to comment on the proposals can obtain copies from Marisa White, area education officer, Brook House, Reeves Way, Whitstable, CT5 3SS or by going to www.kent.gov.uk/schoolconsultations