A CONTROVERSIAL decision to allow an infant and nursery school to extend its age range to take juniors has been described as "disappointing" by a neighbouring junior school on the same street.

Parkside GGI Academy, in Greengate Street, Barrow, which is now a school for children aged two to seven years, has been given government approval to extend the upper age limit to 11 years to teach juniors from September 2018.

The regional schools commissioner, Jan Renou, agreed the plan to allow Parkside GGI to increase its age range by one year group.

The school, which is part of the Inspired Learning Multi-Academy Trust, will also reduce its published admission number from 60 places per year, per year group, to 30 places - a move from two form year groups to one form year groups. The 30 places per year will be allocated following the school's admissions policy.

Parkside GGI Academy has said the change will improve parental choice and the viability of the school. The school has said it has around 65 per cent of its capacity filled in Reception class and wants to offer all-through primary education.

Caroline Walker, the headteacher of Parkside GGI Academy, said: "This will improve parental choice. It will offer an all-through primary academy and bring that choice to Barrow.

"We know the local authority wants to have all-through primary schools and to improve choice. This is part of our business plan and it makes the school viable for the future."

Mrs Walker said the Parkside GGI parents had requested a change to the age range so their children can continue their education at the school.

Sue Jackson, headteacher of Greengate Junior School said: "We are disappointed with the decision by the regional school commissioner. We are also disappointed with Parkside GGI Academy and the Inspired Learning Multi-Academy Trust's decision to go ahead with the proposal, given the implications that it will have upon a good local school.

"As a school we are considering our options for the future in order to alleviate the impact upon our school."

The Office for the Regional Schools Commissioner in the North for the Department for Education said: "As the change will take effect in 2018, we hope this will offer greater time for headteachers and governing bodies to consider the potential impacts on their own schools."

It also says that it hopes that the change "can be a driver to continue to redevelop collaboration between schools, and offer a step towards an aspiration for families of schools that the RSC believes will further strengthen educational provision across Barrow."

The reduced published admission number means that between eight and 12 children at Parkside GGI will need to find alternative places. Mrs Walker said that some families may want their children to attend a different junior school. She said children from Parkside GGI move on to 11 different junior schools.

She said only around 14 per cent of Parkside GGI pupils live in the catchment area. Others live in various parts of Barrow, and some live on Walney and in Dalton.

The Parkside GGI would need one extra classroom building to become an all-through primary school and an increase in staff in two years.