PLANS for a major expansion at one of Bradford’s biggest schools have been submitted to Bradford Council.

Immanuel College, based in Thackley, has applied to build a three-storey extension to the school building.

The extension will include classrooms, an extension to the sports hall, new student entrance foyer, new car park areas, a new school entrance, and an extension and reconfiguration of the multi-use games area (MUGA) pitch.

The plan’s design and access statement says the works are necessary due to a number of expansions at primary schools in the area.

It states: “Due to the ever-increasing population, and following on from a number of expansions to primary school education in the area, there is a need to provide additional secondary places in this locality.

“The success, location and popularity of Immanuel makes it an obvious choice.”

The expansion would see the school become a 10-form entry from an eight-form entry, creating an extra 300 pupil places over the next five years, which constitutes two additional form classes in each school year.

MORE TOP STORIES

Included in the work will be refurbishments to existing buildings for more science and music space, and the extension of the existing sports hall – which the plans say will enable the hall to “finally be used for sports”.

If approved, the school will remain open throughout the work, with the site completely cordoned off for safety purposes.

The extra teaching spaces created will include three laboratories, additional space for science prep, one drama studio, one music room, a music practice room and store, five classrooms and small group rooms.

Immanuel currently has more than 1,400 students aged 11 to 18, with the extension boosting numbers to more than 1,700.

The proposed changes to the sports hall mean that the space, which currently can only accommodate badminton and volleyball, will be able to house an extra badminton court, and will be suitable for five-a-side football, basketball and netball.

Public consultation on the plans is open until Friday, May 11.

To comment, visit the council’s planning website.