THE last school earmarked for expansion to ease the crisis in the number of available places is to get the go-ahead this month.

Of the seven primary schools in the borough deemed suitable, four have already gained planning permission for extra buildings. Five of the seven are in Hayes.

William Byrd Primary School was expected to be given approval last night (Tuesday), subject to agreement on area enhancement payments.

The additional school blocks would be built on playing fields, so Hillingdon Council is obliged to develop new pitches, which would be on neighbouring Sipson Meadow.

Building work is due to start in March, and is expected to be completed by the beginning of the new school year.

Expansion plans for Grange Park Infant and Junior School is to be decided at a planning meeting later this month.

An extra 19 forms of entry will be created at William Byrd, to meet needs revealed in future population figures for the borough.

This year, several schools have temporary classrooms to take on children who have struggled to find a place near to where they live.

Rosedale College, currently teaching only secondary education, will start to take primary pupils this September, who will remain there for the rest of their school career.

A rise in the child population and an immediate crisis in school places, particularly in the more densely populated south of the borough where the birth rate is nearly twice that in the north, has led to the dash for places.

Nearly 1,000 will be created for the 2012/13 school year, and further expansion is inevitable in the coming years as pupils move from primary into secondary education.

It is thought that there will be a deficit of about 300 pupils per year group in secondary schools by 2020.

Parents and governors at Whitehall School, in Uxbridge, have been resolute in their opposition to expansion, arguing that classrooms would become over-crowded and high standards at the school would slip because of the larger number of pupils.

They put their case to the Independent Schools Adjudicator last Thursday, who will decide whether to uphold or overturn the council's decision to increase Whitehall's capacity.

A final decision is expected within four weeks.

EXPANDING SCHOOLS

* Brookside Primary School, in Perth Avenue, Hayes: 630 places (+210 places) - approved on January 17

**Cranford Park Primary School, in Phelps Way, Hayes: 840 places (+210) - approved on January 11

**Whitehall Junior School, in Cowley Road, Uxbridge: 480 places (+132) - approved on November 30

**Whitehall Infant School in Cowley Road, Uxbridge: 360 places (+90) - approved on November 30

**William Byrd Primary School, in Victoria Lane, Harlington: 630 places (+222) - Central and South planning committee meeting on February 1

PENDING

**Grange Park Junior School, in Lansbury Drive, Hayes: 353 to 480 (304) = +127

**Grange Park Infant School, in Lansbury Drive, Hayes: 270 to 360 (277) = +90