A QUIET room is to be created by making internal alterations to the grade 2 listed Powerstock Primary School.

Dorset Council has granted planning consent for the changes which will include a new staircase and the introduction of a partition wall at first floor level.

The school, which dates from 1848, was founded by Thomas Sanctuary, then Vicar of Powerstock and had an initial roll of 122, although today the school has half that number.

School Governors, who made the planning application, say the Quiet Room will allow the separate teaching of a single year group, or small group of children, from Classroom One which is shared by three year groups - reception and years one and two.

A section of floor and a wall lining which will need to be removed to make way for the change was only added after a fire at the school in 2011: A  surveyor, acting for the Governors, says the alterations have no impact on the historic fabric of the building, affecting only more recent additions.

Said a report into the application by a Dorset Council planning case officer: “The works are considered necessary for the continued function of the school which is of great community significance and value. It is considered that this outweighs any degree of harm that the alteration would create, but that the works could also be reversed at a future date without harming the special character, fabric and integrity of the listed building.”