SWINDON Council has been accused of "deplorable incompetence and mismanagement" over the West Swindon schools admission crisis.

The attack has come from David Williamson, the chairman of Bradon Forest School's appeal board. He has been given the job of hearing appeals from 47 parents who wanted to send their children there.

A letter he wrote to Swindon Council's acting chief education officer Paul Doherty has been leaked today.

In it he heavily criticises the council for creating a situation where demand for places at West Swindon schools far outstrips supply.

Bradon Forest School in Purton and Greendown School in Swindon have traditionally been the automatic choice for parents living in the west of the town.

But more than 100 children were initially turned away from Bradon Forest, and 29 from Greendown School.

A handful won appeals but the majority have been forced to settle for alternative schools such as Hreod Parkway, which is more than four miles from West Swindon.

Mr Williamson's letter was leaked as it was revealed that Bradon Forest had been willing to create an extra form to allow an extra 30 pupils to be admitted.

But at a meeting between parents and representatives of Swindon Council and Wiltshire County Council, officials admitted it was now too late for the option of a new class to be taken up because of the time it takes to find and employ teachers.

In the letter, Mr Williamson writes: "During these appeals parents brought various matters to our attention which relate to information from, and actions by, the Swindon Education Department in relation to West Swindon children, who now comprise the majority of entrants to Bradon Forest School.

"The incompetence and mismanagement which has given rise to the present situation is deplorable and almost beyond belief."

Mr Williamson also criticised the council for telling parents on December 20 that there would be sufficient places for their children to attend Bradon Forest or Greendown schools, only to backtrack on the assurance at a later date.

Swindon Council has not offered to provide transport from West Swindon for pupils forced to attend Hreod Parkway and Mr Williamson is also unhappy that the route pupils may have to walk to Hreod Parkway includes deserted areas and the Barnfield sewage works site.

Andrew Hill, chairman of West Swindon Parents in Education, the lobby group set up to represent parents, said: "Thanks to Swindon LEA's mismanagement of the situation and the lack of action on their behalf, we are now in severe danger of missing the boat.

"The appeals were very daunting for parents and emotions ran very high.

"Many of them were in tears during the appeal hearings, and again afterwards when they heard their appeal was unsuccessful.

"Our committee members will be doing everything in their power to avoid parents having to go through this nightmare next year."

Adrian Ruck, spokesman for Swindon Council, said: "We accept there have been difficulties with admissions to schools in West Swindon and the council is working with all interested parties, including Bradon Forest School, to remedy this.

"The council is continuing to work with all interested parties, including West Swindon Parents Improving Education, to improve the process."

David Williamson is a retired senior area education officer who was at Bradon Forest as the independent chairman of the appeals panel.

Each school must appoint an independent panel to hear appeals from parents whose children have been refused a place because the school is over subscribed.

Mr Williamson, of Cirencester, listened to the cases made on behalf of 47 pupils whose applications had been rejected.