LYTCHETT Minster School will push ahead with plans for a new classroom block despite the devastating fire which destroyed its arts block last Thursday.

The school is set to expand from next September when education in Purbeck moves from a three-tier to a two-tier system.

In autumn 2013 it will take on an additional 140 pupils – growing over time to some 200 extra students in total as a result of the changes.

Plans were submitted in the weeks before the fire for the two-and-a-half storey building to be constructed on the site of the floodlit tennis courts to the east of the school complex.

It would provide 1,886 square metres of accommodation comprising 12 classrooms, changing rooms, offices and stores, as well as a large zone on the top floor designated for sixth formers.

But now the school is also facing a major rebuild project as the works to recreate its cherished arts block get underway.

It will mean two major building projects on the school site at the same time.

Head teacher Stuart Clark said the expansion plans must go ahead. “The children will come in September come what may. That need exists and we will have to satisfy it and make sure we provide what is needed,” he said.

“Because of where the two building sites are – both are on the edge of the site – in fact we can shield them from students pretty effectively compared to some building projects we have had over the years.

“To have these two going on at the same time is relatively straightforward.

“We have an experienced team within the school who have been in their roles for quite some time. They have been through other major projects, and that is only helpful.”

A spokesman for Dorset County Council said: “We are looking at sourcing some temporary classrooms while rebuilding works are carried out.

“We were planning to use some temporary classrooms as part of the expansion plans, but following the fire, we will now be providing additional ones to house pupils until all the new buildings are complete."

...but not everyone is happy about it

THE expansion plans have been a source of concern for some in the village worried about the increased pressure of traffic as the school grows from around 1,330 pupils to 1,530.

They include Robin SeQueira, who has lived in Lytchett Minster for 14 years.

The businessman and former director for social services at Dorset County Council has accused his former employer of making “no provision” for the increased traffic the school expansion will entail.

As the highways authority the county council was consulted on the application, and made no objection – although it did recommended a travel plan be made to cut the impact on the roads.

Mr SeQueira told the Echo: “The residents have no problem with the school expanding, however it will exacerbate what is already a very difficult situation on the roads. At 3.30pm the village is basically gridlocked.”

He said the narrow country lanes could not cope with the influx of cars and buses and highlighted problems with parents parking dangerously and causing damage to soft verges.

He called it “a tragedy waiting to happen”, adding: “We don’t blame the parents. We blame Dorset County Council for not taking seriously the issue of traffic conditions when you have a very small village and a very big school.”

He also criticised the “lack of a sensible school traffic management plan” and said there was a need for widespread improvements on the village roads.

Dorset County Council’s highways team’s response to the application called for a detailed ‘school travel plan’ with measures to reduce trips to the school in order to “reduce the impact of school traffic on the highway network”.

A spokesman for the council said they had nothing further to add to that response.