PUPILS could start at Stanton Harcourt Primary School a year earlier after proposals to add a nursery class were approved.

County council cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley yesterday ruled that the extension of the lower age range from four to three could go ahead.

The school wants to add the extra class for youngsters to provide capacity after the closure of the Blackditch Bunnies Pre-school in March.

The ruling was a “delegated decision”, which means Mrs Tilley could make it on her own, but had to do so in a public sitting.

She said: “I think the only objection to this I have seen is about parking, but I can’t see that it will make any difference.”

A report to Mrs Tilley said: “Younger children attend the local pre-school, which is due to close. The school proposes to open a nursery class to ensure continuity of provision for these children and to help improve standards on entry to Year 1.”