A primary school in Harlesden is to permanently split between two sites a-mile-and-a-half apart from each other.

In a bid to tackle a shortage of school places in the borough, Brent Council has agreed to let Leopold Primary School in Hawkshead Road, keep a temporary annex in the Gwenneth Rickus Building in Brentfield Road, Neasden, open for good.

The plans which were rubberstamped On Monday means the school, which is rated good by education watchdogs Ofsted, will double its places to 840 in a bit to meet the growing demand for school places in Brent.

Both sites will have 420 permanent places from reception through to year six.

The Brentfield Road site, which was formerly a pupil referral unit, will be refurbishment including a new sports and dining hall, an improved school kitchen and new changing facilities.

Parents and teachers were consulted about the expansion proposal, which was proposed by the governing body of the school in partnership with Brent Council.

Cllr Ruth Moher, Brent Council’s lead member for children and young people, said: “I’m delighted for Leopold Primary and the parents, pupils and staff that we’ve been able to give this expansion the go-ahead and provide more permanent high-quality school places. We worked very closely with Leopold Primary about the expansion and I look forward to working in partnership with more schools which are hoping to expand.

“However, Brent’s population is rising and like many London boroughs we are facing a growing demand for primary and secondary school places. The challenge of meeting the growing demand for places is considerable which is why we have plans to create thousands more permanent school places over the next five years.”

The nursery with 60 full-time places at Hawkshead Road will continue as at present.