![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/0_Manorbrook-Primary-School.jpg\")
Manorbrook Primary School in Thornbury(Image: Google )<\/p>\nLeading councillors have lambasted the historic lack of places for childrenManorbrook Primary School in Thornbury(Image: Google )<\/p>\n
A primary school in a town north of Bristol will double in size after \u201cyears of failure\u201d to meet rising demand for places. Leading South Gloucestershire<\/a> councillors have approved the expansion of the school while lambasting the lack of places for children in the district.<\/p>\n Manorbrook Primary School in Thornbury<\/a> will expand from 210 places to 420 places over the next two years, with two classes in each year group. Two breach classes have already been created, and the expansion will cost South Gloucestershire Council<\/a> \u00a34 million to build.<\/p>\n The expansion was approved by the cabinet on Monday, April 14. Thornbury and other parts of South Gloucestershire have seen an increasing population in recent years, with many new houses built. But often the public services, like schools, haven\u2019t kept up pace with new demand.<\/p>\n Labour<\/a> Councillor Ian Boulton, co-leader of the council and cabinet member for education, said: \u201cIt feels as if we\u2019re really making progress now on catching up with the school places that have been lacking in the areas across South Gloucestershire in the past.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s something that\u2019s very positive. After years of failure to build school places to meet demand, I am delighted this administration has today agreed further funding necessary to provide much needed school buildings.\u201d<\/p>\n The Liberal Democrats<\/a> and Labour took control of South Gloucestershire in 2023, after the Conservatives<\/a> had led the council for the previous 16 years. Similar issues have been faced by communities in new housing estates like Lyde Green and north Yate<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sign up to receive daily news updates and breaking news alerts straight to your inbox for free here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n Liberal Democrat Cllr Simon Johnson, cabinet member for children and young people, added: \u201cIt\u2019s important that as the population grows in South Gloucestershire we continue to develop the infrastructure that builds around that.<\/p>\n “Seeing more school places to support children and young people is a massive priority, and hopefully one that\u2019s welcomed by people who live locally.\u201d<\/p>\n