Parents angry at school plan

7:02pm Tuesday 8th July 2008

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Parents have clashed with Merton Council over the proposed expansion of a popular Wimbledon primary school.

At a public meeting last week, parents of current pupils said enlarging Wimbledon Chase was impractical and could damage their children's education.

But the council's director of children, schools and families, David Hill, said that the huge pressure for school places across the borough meant expansion was inevitable and that Wimbledon Chase was the school most able to accommodate extra children.

The school is already set to take on an extra class of pupils in September, raising the intake from around 60 to 90 pupils and the council want to make the increase permanent.

The change would mean creating new buildings, probably on the school playing fields - a possibility that angered parents of existing pupils One said: "Our school has a wonderful resource and its going to be significantly impaired."

Other concerns included the strain placed on the school's resources and the problems caused by more children being driven to school in an area that already has congested roads.

However, some at the meeting spoke out in favour of the expansion, saying it would mean more children could benefit from the successful school.

The meeting, which was attended by more than 100 people, was held at the school in Merton Hall Road as part of an ongoing consultation with parents and the community. Wimbledon Chase currently has 420 pupils.

Defending the plans, Mr Hill said: "We have a responsibility to make sure that all children in Merton go to good schools. There is no doubt in my mind that this proposal is the best proposal".

He was joined at the meeting by Tom Procter, the council's schools organisation manager, and Janet Martin, head of education.

A final decision on the expansion is expected in November. In April this year the council's bid for a temporary increase in numbers was blocked by the office of the schools adjudicator, but last month the decision was overturned.

The school's governors are currently considering their response to the proposals. For more information, or to have your say on the plans, email the council at schconsult@merton.sch.uk.