PARENTS have reacted to news of a bulge class at Northwick Manor Primary School with both anger and delight.

The school has agreed to take on an extra class of 30 children in September's intake after a campaign by parents who were initially refused places for their preferred three choices.

Sixteen families were left disappointed after not being offered places at Northwick, Claines CE Primary or Perdiswell Primary.

All three schools in north Worcester were over-subscribed with Worcestershire County Council saying Northwick was the most over-subscribed school in the county.

The school has since agreed to take an extra class for one year only, taking its reception year group in 2016 from 90 to 120.

A temporary classroom will be installed at the school but will be used for the school's older pupils rather than the extra reception class.

Claines CE had also agreed to take extra pupils but wanted any expansion to be permanent.

The news was greeted with delight by the campaigning parents.

Speaking on their behalf, Melissa Jones said it was "great news" and the families were grateful to both schools and to the local authority's education team for listening and responding swiftly to their concerns.

However, she added: "We would urge the local authority to confirm what measures are to be put in place to address the shortfall in provision at Claines school.

"Moving forward, this cannot happen again and we must move our focus on the longer term issue of ensuring that adequate primary school provision is provided in this area for future children.

"In that regard, there remains a clear case for a new school in this area and we would like to work with Worcestershire County Council, local councillors and our community to ensure that children and parents are not faced with the same situation next year and the year after."

However, parents whose children already attend the school and those who live in the area have hit back saying they are worried the school has become too big.

Jamie Reading Widdett, writing on the Worcester News facebook page, said: "What about the hundreds of families with children already at the school and those of children with a place at the school for September, have they been considered?

"From what I hear parents at the school including myself, aren't happy about a bulge class being added, upset hundreds of parents or a small few, I know which I'd prefer!!"

Hannah Rogers said: "As a Northwick parent already I am appalled that we weren't consulted about this!

"I can't see how this will be the only bulge year.

"I feel sorry for all of those 120 children and all the subsequent year's intake.

"I agree that they should have pleased the majority and not the small minority."

The school was unavailable for comment.