A third primary school in the borough is planning to teach the curriculum partly in French.

Shaftesbury Park Primary School, in Ashbury Road, Battersea intends to start its first bilingual class in September 2013.

Two reception classes will work together so that up to 60 children will get the opportunity to speak in French.

The school will continue to follow guidance from the National Curriculum, with classes in both French and English.

Pupils will initially learn reading and writing in English, with formalised French literacy introduced at a slightly later time.

It is the third school to become bilingual in the borough, with Wix Primary School in Battersea and Putney's Hotham School already running French bilingual classes.

Wandsworth has pioneered the introduction of bilingual schools to give younger children the chance to learn a language.

Bunmi Richards, head teacher of Shaftesbury Park said: "This is an exciting and unique opportunity, which will provide development of language and knowledge about another culture for our local community and learners.

"This initiative will be beneficial for all learners at the school, not just those children who are in the bilingual classes and we look forward to replicating the successes of other bilingual settings."

Councillor Kathy Tracey, cabinet member for education and children's services said: "Our experiences at Wix and Hotham have proved that introducing a bilingual stream benefits the school across the board.

"It gives children a huge advantage when they enter employment if they are familiar with another language and culture."

The council is currently consulting on the introduction of the bilingual classes and subsequent changes to the admission arrangements.

Find out more at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions/consultation School staff are also happy to chat to parents about the changes. Ring (020) 7228 3652 or email bilingual@shaftesburypark.wandsworth.sch.uk