The headteacher at a Wickford school has described how it "breaks his heart" to see the distress of parents who fear their children may not get a place at the school.

Philip Bell has been leading Beauchamps High in a battle to increase its first year intake from 180 to 240 for the past year.

The matter has now been passed to the schools adjudicator who called a public hearing. An estimated 200 people attended the Holiday Inn meeting at Basildon's Festival Leisure Park, the majority of whom were in support of the school, said Mr Bell.

The local education authority amended its original opposition and suggested increasing the intake to 210. But Mr Bell says this is still not enough.

He said: "That does not answer the long-term problem and we would still be turning away some people who already have children in the school which we are very concerned about.

"It breaks my heart to hear the parents speak because they are so worried and the children are understandably upset because they want to know which school they are going to, like their friends."

Letters were sent to 21 parents telling them they had not been included on the intake list for September.

However Mr Bell has assured them if the adjudicator gives the expansion the go-ahead - a decision which could be made soon - those 21 will be offered places.

Published Tuesday, January 21, 2003

Brought to you by the Evening Echo