An expansion contract for Cricket Green School was approved by Merton Council’s cabinet at a meeting on Monday (July 30) night.

Last month the council gave approval for the school to expand, although planning permission has not yet been granted.

If approved construction works would include a new two storey block to replace existing temporary classrooms.

This would create 61 new places at the special needs school, which has pupils from four to 19-years-old.

Work is expected to be completed by September 2019.

Cllr Caroline Cooper-Marbiah outlined the plans for the meeting on Monday. 

She said: “It will replace a mobile unit which currently has three classrooms.

“The expansion will create 61 new places which will mean the school will double in size from 130 to 260 places over 10 years.

“It is one of our flagship schools, it is outstanding and provides for our  children with additional and complex needs.”

She added that the expansion will mean more children in the borough can receive ‘high quality education closer to home’.

Although the planning approval has not yet been granted Cllr Cooper-Marbiah said work is expected to start as soon as possible to take advantage of the summer holidays.

“The work during the summer break will be crucial and will ensure that in September when the children return there will be less disruption,” she added. 

Cabinet agreed to approve the contract, which follows a tender process. The contractor that has won the bid was outlined in part two of the meeting, which is not open to the public and press.