A FINAL decision on whether to expand two Oxfordshire primary schools to take 60 new pupils each year will be made later this month.

The proposals would see Eynsham Primary School and Orchard Meadow Primary School in Blackbird Leys take two classes of children in 2013 to help deal with increased pressure for primary school places, both taking up to 420 children in total.

Currently Eynsham’s published admissions number is 45, but the school has taken more children for the last two years to meet growing demand.

In a report to be considered by Melinda Tilley, Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for schools improvement services, director for children’s services Jim Leivers said: “Demand for pupil places across Oxfordshire generally has risen and in Eynsham additional homes in new housing developments are in the process of being constructed and occupied: therefore the expectation is that the rise in pupil numbers will be sustained.”

In 2008 the council added an extra 105 primary places across Oxford, with 245 more agreed for 2009 and a further 238 in 2010. Until recently, Orchard Meadow took 30 children each year, rising to 45 in September 2011.

A decision will be made on Monday, May 14.