Morasha Jewish Primary School has won planning permission for a £6 million new home in Finchley.

The independent school hopes the project will be a springboard towards voluntary-aided status, enabling its expansion from 56 pupils to 210 from reception to year six.

Barnet Council has approved plans to transform a building at Grove Lodge on Regents Park Road into a school. The board of trustees is seeking the funding to purchase and renovate the building for opening in September 2012.

The council has told the school that it will qualify for state funding if it meets government criteria. It could be voluntary-aided by the opening of the building.

"It's absolutely fantastic news," said trustees' chairman Jeremy Newman. "We have the perfect location, in walking distance for most parents, close to public transport and minutes from Kinloss synagogue."

Parent Simon Marks, who spoke in support of the scheme at Barnet's planning committee meeting, was "thrilled my children will now be able to walk to school and feel a permanent part, not just of the Finchley Jewish community, but the whole Finchley and Barnet community." The council received nearly 200 letters of support for the project.

Morasha is currently housed in a temporary site on Moss Hall Grove. As the school grows, years one and two will be taught at Finchley Synagogue until the new site is ready.