PARENTS and staff of an outstanding Poole first school are celebrating after winning a battle to provide 30 more reception places.

Borough of Poole’s proposal that Poole’s oldest school, Courthill First in Parkstone, could have another reception class of 30 from 2013, came as a complete shock to battling campaigners.

“Our future was in jeopardy. We have now safeguarded the future of the school,” said a delighted Amanda Procter, mum and parent governor.

The popular school, which turned away 47 children in its catchment area for places in 2011, will become an infant school under Poole’s changes to the age of transfer in 2013.

The consequence of this is losing a whole year of 90 pupils, around 30 per cent of its budget and having three spare classrooms, putting nine teachers and assistants at risk of redundancy.

In an 18-month campaign the school fought to provide 30 more reception places in 2012 but this was turned down by the local education authority.

But now the council is proposing another reception class from 2013, which will save jobs at the school and while there will be fewer youngsters short-term will mean four classes in each year as they filter through the years.

“In Lower Parkstone it’s still a nightmare for school placements,” said Amanda. “This does give some families hope they can get into Courthill and not be farmed out to schools five miles away.”

Head teacher Jane Davies, whose school is rated outstanding by Ofsted said: “It is brilliant news that the council are considering increasing the admission numbers for 2013.

“It’s a lovely start to the summer holidays for all the staff and parents of Courthill,” she said.

Cllr Janet Walton, cabinet portfolio holder for children’s services said: “Taking into consideration the spare capacity the school will have in 2013 and having listened to representations, officers will seek approval from the children and young people’s overview and scrutiny committee to undertake a consultation for 2013 admission arrangements, which will include a proposal to increase the admission numbers in reception at Courthill.”