A six-week-long consultation has started on a proposal to convert a Poole first school into a primary.

Borough of Poole intends to change Heatherlands First School to a primary from September 2013, extending the age range of the pupils it takes.

Headteacher Sally Burns said: “We have received a great deal of informal support for this proposal so far and I would now encourage all parents and residents with an interest in Heatherlands to formally express their views through the consultation.”

People have until Friday October 21 to submit their views on plans to extend the age range from reception to Year Three (ages four to eight) to Year Six (11). This would mean the school would be boosted by an additional 270 pupils by September 2015.

However it would be phased with Year Four included in September 2013, Year Five in September 2014 and Year Six in September 2015.

With three classes of 30 pupils in all seven year groups, the school would be able to accommodate 630 pupils.

It would mean that pupils currently in Year Two would remain at the school until Year Six. A public meeting will take place at the first school in Library Road on Thursday October 6 at 7pm where designs for the new accommodation will be on show.

Councillor Janet Walton, cabinet portfolio holder for children and young peoples services, Borough of Poole, said: “This proposal has been in discussion for some time so it is very exciting to now be at this phase.”

If the council goes ahead with the proposal, notices will be published and there will be a six- week period where objections and comments can be made.

“The proposal will then go to cabinet members for a decision. If approved, work would start in the 2012 summer term.