A Rutland school seeks to expand to help secure its long-term future.

The Shires School on Shires Lane, Stretton, has applied for planning permission to erect a new classroom block with associated parking.

The development at the residential special school for autistic children would see staff numbers increase from 40 to 50ftes and parking increase from 50 to 67 spaces.

The application to Rutland County Council said: "This application is for the second phase of the separation of the educational and residential functions and relates to the construction of a new 4 classroom annex with ancillary rooms.

"On completion of this work the final reassignment of the first floor classrooms to bedrooms and residential use can be completed.

"The Phase 1 works, which have been completed, included the provision of a domestic kitchen for the residents, a new serving hatch for school meals from the existing main kitchen, and the creation of a further classroom in the existing school hall.

"The new classroom annexe provides 220m2 accommodation, including 4 classrooms, a life skills room, a sensory room, a breakout room, tea prep area, toilets and office. The new building is to be located to the South and East of the main building, located just over 25m from the main building; set within one of the existing fenced pods."

The application added the work was needed to "secure the long term future of the building."

"OFSTED have requested that the educational and residential functions of the school need to be separated. This requires additional teaching space as rooms can no longer have shared functions. A separate classroom block enables the Shires to continue to function with the full support of OFSTED.

"No historic fabric will be lost or damaged as part of this development," the school also commented.