AN outstanding school is set to grow — if Bury Council gives the go-ahead.

Education bosses have applied for permission to expand Elms Bank Specialist Arts College, in Ripon Avenue, Whitefield, with the plans tabled this week.

The school, which was rated ‘outstanding’ — the highest possible of four ratings — when Ofsted inspectors last visited in 2010, could get 12 new classrooms in a new two-storey building linked to the existing school with a new single-storey corridor.

The new building would also have a common room for students aged 16 to 19, a kitchen and dining area, three hygiene rooms, four group rooms, three offices, two rooms for cleaners and a toilet block.

A multi-use outdoor games area would also be built outside.

No parking spaces would be added and a football pitch would be marked out on the existing playing fields.

The school, which teaches pupils with a range of special needs, was built in 1975 and extended a year later.

It has since benefited from a new sports hall, staff room and hydrotherapy unit.

A report from the school to the council said the project came about after a review of the current provision for students in the 16 to 19 age category.

It adds: “The new classroom block would be situated on a largely unused area of the playing fields at the side of the main school building “There is an access road from Heathfield Road, primarily for access to the school playing fields for grounds maintenance.

“It is intended that this will be the site access for contractors during construction.”

The council has written to people living at 79 neighbouring properties and they and others can express their views to the council until November 15.

The council is aiming to reach a decision by January 22.