A number of Wandsworth schools are set to expand after an investment of more than £15 million has been approved by Wandsworth Council.

St Cecilia’s Church of England School, in Sutherland Grove, as well as Balham’s Chestnut Grove Academy, in Chestnut Grove, and Putney’s Ark Academy in Pullman Gardens will each receive new space as part of the green-lit plans.

The £15.6 million aims to add extra classes to some primary, secondary, and special schools in Wandsworth.

Councillor Sarah McDermott, council’s cabinet member for education, said: “This is a substantial programme of investment that will provide additional classroom places at some of our best performing and most popular schools.

“This is great news for local parents who will have more options and greater choice when it comes to choosing a school for their children.

“And I particularly welcome the extra investment in our special needs provision, which will directly benefit some of the borough’s most vulnerable children.”

St Cecilia’s will expand by one extra class, as well as Chestnut Grove, with the latter also increasing its sixth form provision.

Ark Academy will add two by utilising space in its existing building, recently upgraded as part of a £30 million school modernisation scheme.

These schools are also involved:

- A £350,000 cash injection means there will be two new classes at Roehampton’s Paddock School, a maintained special school in Priory Lane, which caters for children with moderate to severe learning difficulties

- Southfields’ Riversdale Primary School, in Merton Road, will have a new £450,000 unit to support children with special needs, with plans to open in September while a consultation is currently active

- Burntwood School, a secondary in Burntwood Lane, will be offering extra spaces this coming September

- Putney’s Brandlehow School, in Brandlehow Road, will now revert to two forms entry after being reduced to one over lack of space available