A secondary school is to expand by 400 places, despite three Liberal Democrat councillors voicing their concerns over the expansion.

Woodbridge High School in St Barnabas Road, Woodford Green, will now expand from eight forms of entry to ten forms, creating an additional 60 school places per year group, after 55 councillors voted in favour of the plan on Thursday at full council.

Roding councillors Gwyneth Deakins and Felicity Banks and Church End councillor Richard Hoskins requisitioned the report which came before cabinet on January 8, forcing the issue to be discussed on Thursday.

Cllr Deakins said: “The main concern we had was the number of extra pupils squeezed onto the site and the loss of recreational space.

“I accept that a school expansion is necessary in the present circumstances, but what we were asking was that a lot of careful thought needed to go into how they would manage the numbers and if the council had seriously considered building a new school on another site.

“I was accused of being a nimby, but that is not the case.”

Cllr Hoskins added: “What I was trying to get an answer to was why, when there is a great need for school places in the south of the borough, Woodbridge High was chosen as an appropriate site.

“I don’t oppose extra places, I know we need extra places.”

Mother-of-four Helen Duffett, has three children at the school and lives in St Barnabas Road.

She said: “It is a fabulous school, my lot have done very well there.

“It is not just a case of building an extra block of classrooms, it is the other facilities children need.

“I am not a nimby, I’m very proud of the school. As long as the school really considers the extra things children need such as recreational space and lunch times then there really is no problem.”

Assistant headteacher Jeremy Clifton said the school will cope with the additional school places by providing rolling lunch breaks and making use of the space the school will be left with.

He said: “This is a once in a life-time opportunity and the money we spend on brand new facilities will benefit the whole school.

“It is about being meticulous with the space we have got and making sure we use it well.”

Cabinet member for Children’s Services, cllr Alan Weinberg, said: “Imagine the outcry if we didn’t provide additional school places – frankly it would be illegal.

"It is no secret school places in Redbridge are needed."

A total of 423 comments were received by the council about the expansion, with 25 per cent objecting to the plans.

Mayfield High School, in Pedley Road, Goodmayes will also expand from eight forms of entry to 12 forms of entry, creating an additional 120 places per year group.

Independent councillor Harold Moth of Fullwell ward also voted against the plans and Liberal Democrat councillor of Church End ward, Hugh Cleaver, abstained from voting.

The new building is estimated to cost £11million and will be open from September 2014.