A secondary school is set to expand as planners urgently prepare for a rapid rise in demand for places.

Essex County Council wants to expand West Hatch High School in Chigwell so it can take nine new forms a year, up from seven.

Council projections show there is likely to be a “significant increase in demand” for secondary school places in the area from 2018/19.

It is hoped that work can start at West Hatch next September, taking the total number of pupils from 1,050 to 1,350 at a rate of 60 per year from 2018.

Exact details have not been confirmed for the expansion, and it does not yet have planning permission, but it is hoped that it will include a new sports hall and teaching spaces.

Subject to consultation, final approval and planning processes, a one-year target has been set for the building work.

Roding Valley High School in Loughton is also set to expand at a rate of 30 new year seven places per year.

Education councillor Ray Gooding said: “The demand for secondary school places in the Loughton area is expected to rise dramatically over the next decade as a result of local development and larger year groups coming through.

“As a council, we are committed to ensuring the county has the infrastructure it needs to grow and are planning to spend about £360million over the next three years on creating thousands of new school places across Essex.

“This project at West Hatch High School will go a long way towards helping us ensure there are enough school places to meet demand in the Loughton area in the coming years.”

Frances Howarth, head teacher at West Hatch High School, added: “We welcome this opportunity to expand to meet the increased demand for secondary school places in Essex.

“West Hatch is a very successful school, and will use this opportunity to continue to provide the very best education opportunities for the local community that we serve.”