A BRAND new primary school is set to open in Worcester next year, it has been announced.

The Worcester News has previously reported how parents, pupils and teachers in the Northwick and Claines area were delighted when the new North Worcester Primary Academy (NWPA) was given the go-ahead.

The Rivers Trust is setting up the school which was recommended due to the shortfall of school places in the area. At one point Northwick Manor Primary School was forced to create a 'bulge' class, after a classroom of children in the area did not get any school in catchment.

NWPA, which will be at the former Park and Ride site in Perdiswell, will take its first 60 reception pupils and 26 pre-school children in September 2019, reaching its full potential of 420 pupils of primary age over seven years.

City councillors voted to sell three acres of the five-acre Park and Ride site to the government last September, to pave the way for the new school to come to fruition.

Sian Williams has been headteacher as NWPA and she will also be continuing in her current post as headteacher at Northwick Manor Primary School.

Miss Williams said: "This is an incredibly exciting time for families in the North Worcester area.

"NWPA will be a modern, purpose-built site with the latest design ideas and technology.

"Building a new school gives us the chance to create a space that will provide the very best environment for teaching and learning.

"We look forward to sharing our plans and talking to families in the area who may like to apply.”