An annual scramble for places at one of the city’s most popular schools could be ended by a new extension.

For years parents in the Fiveways area of Brighton have had to fight to get their children into Balfour Junior School in Balfour Road – rated outstanding by Ofsted.

Most children in the neighbourhood start their education at Balfour Infants’ School which has four forms in each year, accommodating 120 pupils.

However, the junior school only has three classes for each year group, meaning just 90 children can be admitted.

As a result 30 youngsters have to be separated from their classmates each year and sent to schools elsewhere in the city.

Now Brighton and Hove City Council has unveiled plans to finally resolve the problem by building an extension to add an extra class in each year at the junior school.

Balfour Junior headteacher Tony Jones said: “I think this will be universally welcomed. The way things are at the moment has caused upset and distress to parents and children.”

There were 151 responses to an initial council consultation.Five opposed the plan and 146 supported it.

Wendy Garnham’s son Harry, seven, successfully moved from Balfour Infants’ to Balfour Junior this summer. She said: “This is a great idea. The situation has not been good for parents.”

Mr Jones said the move would help the school by making classes the correct size.

At present the school is being forced to have classes of up to 35 because parents who miss out on places are using appeals to get their children in.

They have to be added to classes which are already at the recommended maximum of 30.

Brighton and Hove City Councillor Vanessa Brown, cabinet member for education, will decide at a meeting on Monday whether to move the plan to its next stage.

If she does a legally required six-week consultation period will start on January 5. After that Coun Brown will be asked to give a final decision in March.

If she gives the goahead the expanded school will open in September 2010, funded using grants from the Government.

Coun Brown scotched rumours the move would be a precursor to a merger between the two schools.