A PRIMARY school in Basildon is to get a new dining hall, providing enough seats and tables for all the pupils at lunchtime to listen to Mozart.

The planning application from Lee Chapel Primary School in The Knares was approved on Tuesday and will see a new single-storey extension added to the western side of the school.

A report from the council states that the current dining hall is too small for the number of pupils, leaving many having to stand outside or waiting long period of time for seats to become available.

It goes on to note that building the extension will “assist in pupils being able to have appropriate breaks, which may allow them to better concentrate during lessons”.

The school recently came under fire from some parents for introducing a new lunchtime scheme that sees children being asked to sit quietly during lunchtime and speaking quietly only to the pupil beside them, while listening to the likes of Beethoven and Mozart.

Susan Jackson, headteacher at the Ofsted-rated outstanding school, defended the lunchtime activity saying it has been introduced due as studies show it increases concentration and improves discipline. A proper dining hall is expected to also help with this.