A school is celebrating after receiving more applications for its Year 7 class than it has places for the first time in its history.

Hertswood Academy in Thrift Farm Lane received 260 applications from primary pupils who want to attend the school later this year - but there are just 240 places available.

Peter Gillett, who has been headteacher at Hertswood since January 2013, said: “We’re very pleased with the number of primary school students and parents that are choosing us. 

“It’s down to the efforts of the staff and the students and shows that this is a first choice school for local families.

“We also think it’s to do with the improvements in the school and our exam results are a big part of that.”

In 2013 the school broke more records with GCSE grades and its best ever A-Level results.

A total of 76 per cent of pupils achieved five or more A* to C GCSE grades, with results in English and mathematics rising by ten per cent compared to the year before.

And 50 per cent of the Year 13 students achieved an A* to B grade with 99 per cent of students achieving A* to E grades.

Speaking about the improvements he has helped implement at Hertswood, Mr Gillett said: "We have a new house system, a real focus on improving academic attainment, a new rewards system and a very good transition from Year 6 to Year 7."

If planning permission is granted, Hertswood Academy will sell its Thrift Farm Lane site for housing and use the money from the sale to build a new school on its Cowley Hill site.

Mr Gillett added: “This is the local school for local children and with that in mind I think we have the right basis to move forward.”