School 'too small' for pupil rise

Some parents are concerned a primary school may take on an extra 200 pupils under plans to cope with rising numbers of children in a city.

Finham Primary School is among four schools which Coventry City Council is consulting over expanding in 2009.

But mother Tina Baxter said Finham was already too small. "It was built as a junior school and has already had a primary school added on," she said.

The council says pupil numbers were up as the city is "growing and expanding".

Colin Green, director of children, learning and young people at the council, said employment possibilities in Coventry were also improving, which was keeping people in the city.

"And of course we have attracted a lot of migrants, both from overseas and from within the UK as well," he said.

But Ms Baxter said extra pupils numbers led to fears facilities at the school, like the canteen, would be cramped and the school could not cope with an extra eight classrooms.

The school currently has 468 pupils, from nursery age to Year Six.

The other three primary schools involved in the consultation are Stanton Bridge, Broad Heath and Richard Lee Primary School. People have until 20 May to give their views.

Mr Green said there were also plans to raise pupil numbers by a small amount at a number of other schools in September.

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