A school founded in the 17th century has been granted planning permission to build a Pre Prep School on site and is hoping to admit the first pupils in September 2013.

Chigwell School, High Road, Chigwell, admits pupils at the age of seven but with the addition of Pre Prep will enable them to take children from the age of four.

There will be two classes of 18 children in each of the three pre prep years once the school reaches capacity.

Headmaster, Michael Punt, said: “This is a very exciting project and an important development for Chigwell School.

“Increasingly, busy families want to have children of different ages attending one school and this will enable us to make life easier for them and to provide a first class education for younger children in a custom-built building in beautifully green surroundings.”

The building will be in an enclosed site within the Chigwell School campus and will include extra parking.

Mr Punt added: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of enquiries we have received and will be providing further information over the coming weeks.”