Support is growing for an ambitious idea to transform an all-girls school into a mixed secondary to tackle the growing demand for places.

Councillors in Brentford are calling on Hounslow Council to urgently explore possible sites for a mixed state secondary in or close to the town - and one location being touted is Brentford School for Girls, in Boston Manor Road.

The suggestion comes after one third of primary school pupils were denied a place at their first choice secondary earlier this month.

According to ward councillor, Ruth Cadbury, families in Brentford were especially disappointed with the allocation process, with many children missing out on several of their preferred options.

Coun Cadbury said places at nearby Chiswick Community School, Lampton School and Elthorne Park High School were so popular that children in Brentford were being forced further afield.

She said boys were particularly affected - many of whom have been offered places two bus rides away at Hounslow Manor School.

She said: “The problem is we don’t have a mixed secondary school locally.

“People are saying ‘what about making Brentford School for Girls mixed?’ “This time last year we got some letters of concern [about school places] - my feeling is this year the problems have got worse and it’s only going to get worse.”

Fellow councillor, Andrew Dakers, supported the idea of opening the Boston Manor Road site up to boys.

He said: “I think it is an interesting idea, worth exploring. Clearly it would need the support of the school’s governors and leadership team.

“There is a major problem with school capacity in the borough this is clearly starting to affect young people from Brentford and their families.

“We have known this growing pressure was on the cards for at least six years and it is hugely frustrating that the council - under Labour then the Tories - has not acted faster, despite the warnings. Availability of affordable land for a new school is now a major constraint.”

Coun Cadbury said she had asked the council to provide a breakdown of the school place figures for Brentford to gauge the extent of the problem - but claimed she had so far been met by “a wall of silence”.

A spokeswoman for the council said: “There are no plans to change the school into a mixed school.

“The admissions process is ongoing, and as places are taken up or refused, they will be reallocated to those on the waiting list.

“We recognise the need for a new school in the area, but finding a suitable site and the £25m to £35m to build it, are significant challenges.”

• What do you think? Let us know by emailing imason@london.newsquest.co.uk, phone the newsdesk on 020 8744 4262 or leave a comment below.