TROWBRIDGE is on the verge of a crisis unless more primary schools are built to keep up with plans to build hundreds of houses in the town, says a school expert.

Clare Medland, Wiltshire Council’s head of school place commissioning, says that if hundreds of homes are built in Trowbridge and the surrounding areas, the area would desperately need one or even two new primary schools to cater for incoming pupils.

And although local primary schools have sufficient numbers to cater for new pupils in September, Mrs Medland says that the two primary schools already due to be built in Ashton Park will still not be enough if the many housing applications are approved.

“If hundreds of houses are built then the situation will become critical. Primary schools in the Trowbridge area are already tight. If all these applications are approved it would create a real problem,” she said.

“There is a sufficient amount of places for pupils in September, albeit not necessarily one that is the closest one to where they live. We may have to object to some applications if new school sites are not identified.

“Putting aside the two primary schools that will serve Ashton Park and that community, the town will still need another primary school elsewhere.

“Secondary schools are under much less strain but if 700-800 houses come in, another one may need to be built in Ashton Park, which is the only site we are looking at.”

Holbrook Primary School headteacher Roger Whitewick added that it is difficult for the school, along with others, to expand if there is an influx of pupils as many already have temporary mobile classrooms.

“Money needs to be made available to build schools that are fit for the 21st century,” he said.

“If there was a surge in the number of children coming here we would be pushed to the limit and beyond. If the infrastructure is not there to accommodate for this influx then that will cause the quality of learning to suffer.

“There will need to be more facilities, more teachers and, if you do not get the size of the classroom right in terms of numbers, it can have a very negative impact on a child’s quality of education. Something needs to be done.”

Cllr Graham Payne added: “We are sailing very close to the wind in terms of primary schools. We are able to deal with it for this year but that may not be the case in years to come.”