The headteacher of a school so full it is forced to turn away brothers and sisters of current pupils has welcomed the expansion plans.

Sarah Crouch, from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, said demand at the top-rated Wimbledon School meant there were currently three or four applicants for every place.

Miss Crouch said: “We have had situations where siblings can’t get in – and that’s very distressing for them and the school.”

She urged parents to share their views as consultation on the plans begins – but said she felt positive about the planned expansion.

Miss Crouch said: “There are all these children who need a primary school to go to – it makes sense for it to be at St Mary’s.”

The Russell Road school, which has about 180 pupils and was rated “outstanding” by Government inspectors after their last visit, does not have the space to expand on its current site – but looks likely to make use of adjacent council-owned land to accommodate a new form of entry from next year.