Parents are standing united in opposing a plan to expand a school, which they have labelled a “nightmare”.

Havering Council has announced a plan to accept 220 more pupils next year to Engayne Primary School, in Upminster, to help the shortage of school places in the area.

Steven Thomas, spokesperson of the Engayne Parents and Residents Committee, said: “This is going to have a major impact – the quality of our children’s education is not only at risk but so is their safety as more parents will park outside of the school, making it more chaotic and dangerous than it already is.

“It will be a complete nightmare if these plans do go ahead.”

The proposal includes extending all KS1 and KS2 classrooms, expanding the KS1 hall and enlarging the existing kitchen and catering facilities.

Construction work at the school could take more than three years to complete.

A 37-year-old parent from Upminster, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “If the school is expanded our children will be learning on a building site for years and this is simply not acceptable.

“We acknowledge the need to consider the education of all children but we suggest taking advantage of the spare capacity at other nearby schools such as Branfil and James Oglethorpe primary.”

Parents at the school have started a petition against the proposed expansion and now have more than 500 signatures.

Cllr Meg Davis, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “We must provide school places for all local children, and every London borough, along with Havering, has experienced increasing pressure on places in recent years.

“This is due to a growing birth rate, and families moving to Havering.

“No final decision has been made on Engayne Primary School and we will be taking all responses to our consultation into account before a decision is made in the New Year.”

The consultation period for the Engayne Primary School proposal ends on January 9.

To sign the petition visit the petition here