THE borough's new primary school will now take up to 90 children in September, to meet demand caused by Reigate and Banstead's school place crisis.
As parents took their first look inside Lime Tree Primary School, temporarily housed in Alexander Road, Reigate, it emerged the school's first year group will take three classes, not the expected two.
As she showed parents and residents around the school's initial home – the former Sandcross infant site – during two open days, head of school Jo Newton said families were being won over.
Previously, concern had been voiced by some that their children were being sent to a school they knew nothing about. Only 25 parents included the school in their application choices.
The building has been completely repainted, with new carpets, fixtures and fittings.
"What has been really nice is that parents have come here and said, 'actually this is a really nice school, we see where you are coming from'," said Miss Newton. "We have been very busy. It is worth it to see the children getting involved and looking forward to September."
The school is expected to move to a permanent home in Merstham within two years, and most places have gone to children from Merstham and Redhill. As its initial home has capacity, Miss Newton said they had agreed to take extra children to meet the "exceptional demand". Future year groups will have two classes.
The school is being run as an academy by the Glyn Learning Foundation, and Miss Newton said flexibility in the curriculum was the key benefit.
Four-year-old Neve Broddle will start in September. Mum Karen Hanmore, who lives in Watercolour, Redhill, close to the proposed permanent site, said the new academy was "hugely exciting".
"Everything that was going to put me off, I have now come full circle on," she said. "I want my children to come here because I want them to be at their local school, and be able to walk there."
In the meantime, having initially indicated transport would be laid on to the Reigate site, Surrey County Council said transport was not guaranteed.
Nick Smith, the council's strategic director of children, schools and families, said: "We are asking for everyone to apply for transport. I can't say there is guaranteed transport for all. We will look closely at everyone's need."
The council is obliged to provide transport for children under eight who live more than two miles from their school, and for children over eight who live more than three miles away.
Other schools taking "bulge" years in September are Earlswood infants, Meath Green in Horley and Holmesdale infants.
