Hasmonean High School for Boys is leasing a primary school in Belsize Park in order to be able to take additional pupils in September.

The school, which is based in Hendon, had earlier planned to house its new year-7 intake in temporary classes erected near its girls’ school in Mill Hill. But it abandoned the idea amid concerns that this would not meet requirements for the use of green belt land.

Now parents have been told that the school is “poised to sign a contract” with the Catholic Diocese of Westminster to lease a primary school near Belsize Park underground station.

The deal will enable it to offer places to those on its waiting list, increasing its entry to 150 year-7s, double its official maximum. In recent years, it has managed to squeeze in 120 applicants into its cramped Hendon premises.

Formal offers will be sent out next week, leaders announced on Friday.

They extended particular thanks to Barnet councillors Peter Zinkin and Dean Cohen and council leader Barry Rawlings “who have been remarkable in their efforts to help us find a solution and funding”.

The funds secured would “enable us to offer specialist teaching, pastoral, standards and safeguarding support on a secure site from September”.