SCHOOL leaders fear parents could be avoiding a Christchurch school because they don't know how much it's improved in recent years.

Now staff and governors at Somerford Primary have urged parents to "come and have a look round before you make up your mind."

They have urged prospective parents to consider placing their children there and have invited them to take a look at the facilities and the school's Ofsted report, which rated it as Good.

Dramatic improvements have been made since the school was branded Inadequate in 2014 and Head of School Helen Frampton said she hopes parents will give it a chance.

Mrs Frampton, Executive Head Sandra Matthews and Chair of Governors John Stevens said attainment at the school is now in line with or above the national average.

The school currently has 397 pupils from nursery to Year 6 but there is room for nearly 100 more across all year groups.

Some schools in the surrounding area, including Christchurch Infants and Junior and Mudeford Infants and Junior are heavily over-subscribed.

Parents will find out which school they have been allocated for Reception pupils in mid-April and many are likely to discover they have been allocated Somerford against their wishes.

"I want to reassure those parents and invite them to keep an open mind" said Mrs Frampton. "We have had people come here in those circumstances and they have ended up being happy that their children are at Somerford."

Mrs Matthews also urged people who will apply for places next year to have a look round the school before making their choice.

"We just want to get people through the door. We want to change the perception of Somerford Primary" she said.

The school has a nursery unit for children aged three and four and currently offers a breakfast club. It is also consulting parents on plans to open an after school facility.

It also has an active school council, an Eco Council and house captains.