PLANS for the expansion of Ilkley Grammar School will be on display for the first time at a public drop-in session next month.

Last December Bradford Council agreed a major capital investment of £4.7million to expand the current site of the school in Cowpasture Lane to enable it to cope with a rising demand for secondary school places in the Wharfe Valley.

Forecasts show Ilkley Grammar School could have a shortfall of 118 places by 2020. The proposed expansion will allow the school to increase its intake of students from 261 to 300 a year from September 2018. The school currently has capacity for 1,558 pupils, including its sixth form provision.

The public drop-in session, to be held at Ilkley Grammar School on Monday, December 4 from 3.30pm to 7.30pm, will enable people to have their say on the plans.

It is a chance to informally meet and talk to representatives of Bradford Council and project team members, as well as view artists' impressions of the proposed plans. Views and comments from the event will be noted.

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s executive member for education, employment and skills said: “The expansion of Ilkley Grammar School will ensure that it can meet the local demand for more places, taking on more children between the ages of 11 and 16.

“We have organised this drop-in-session to allow parents and the local community to talk to us and view our proposed plans.

“We are keen to hear people’s views before the planning application is submitted as we aim to achieve a positive outcome for both the school and the community.”

If you are unable to attend you can still let Bradford Council know what you think by emailing: schoolconsultation@bradford.gov.uk by Friday, December 15, 2017