75515-57THE planned expansion of a successful school has not been greeted with universal enthusiasm by the local community.

Oversubscribed Bradon Forest School in Purton has successfully applied to the government for a £1,250,000 expansion under its Popular And Successful School scheme.

The school, which has around 1,200 pupils, aims to use the money to create extra classes so that each year group has nine classes.

In order to win the money the school has to consult with the local community and the first period of consultation ends today.

Now the Rev John Papworth, a non-stipendiary priest in Purton, has launched a stinging criticism of the plan, and has written to the school's governors and the new Education Secretary Ruth Kelly among others, to outline his view that the expansion should not go ahead.

Parish clerk Shirley Bevington said the parish council had not had sufficient time to study the document. She said: "We hadn't had sight of it until a few days ago. We raised issue with the school and asked why we hadn't been included in the consultation. They apologised saying they had sent us one, but we didn't receive it."

The school has now given the council an extra week to consider their response.

Mr Papworth is editor of Fourth World Review, which claims to be the only magazine for which readers decide how much they pay.

The 83-year moved to Purton four years ago. He achieved tabloid fame six years ago when he was dubbed the shoplifting vicar after telling a police committee in London that stealing from giant stores was illegal but not immoral.

His letter to the governors claims the school is far too large, bringing problems of 'litter, vandalism, foul language and general rowdiness'.

He also claims that the expansion will affect traffic in the village. His opinion on traffic is shared by the parish clerk.

Mrs Bevington said: "We already have at least 13 buses a day coming into the village twice a day and they all have to go up The Peak, which is the one-way access road to the school."

A source at the school said that the proposed expansion of 84 pupils would be achieved using existing transport.

Headteacher Leonard Spiers said: "We are at the first stage of consultation. This will be followed by a six-week consultation period at which the proposal is considered by the local education authority's School Organisation Committee.

"We have had a range of responses, the vast majority being in favour. All of those responses will be considered by the governors prior to publishing a notice and details of the final consultation.

"I am not able to comment on this letter because it is just one response as part of a whole consultation."

It would be inappropriate for me as Head Teacher to comment on individual submissions before the first consultation process has finished and the governors have considered all of them."

David Andrew