A SCHOOL rated “outstanding” by education watchdogs has been given permission to expand – despite claims of bad behaviour from some of the pupils.

The Lyndhurst-based Coxlease School, which caters for children aged nine to 18 with behavioural, emotional and social difficulties, has been told it can increase the maximum number of students from 80 to 110.

But the planning application was opposed by Lyndhurst Parish Council, the New Forest Association and one of the school’s neighbours.

In a letter to the National Park Authority (NPA) the parish council said: “There are strong neighbour objections. There has already been a considerable increase in pupils, with a number of unfortunate incidents.”

Fellow objector Chris Wilkinson, who lives next door to Coxlease, cited “distressing incidents” that had resulted in “severe disturbance”.

The letters gave no further details although one of the incidents is understood to have involved a water fight.

But Coxlease has hit back, citing a recent Ofsted report which said the school was “outstanding” in all areas, including pupil behaviour.

Ofsted praised the school’s effective leadership, the quality of teaching and learning, and the personal development of pupils.

The application to increase the number of children was debated at a meeting of the NPA’s planning and development control committee.

A report to members said the proposal could generate an extra 60 vehicle movements a day.

But it stressed that the school had a policy of car-sharing and also encouraged pupils who lived near each other to arrive by minibus or shared taxis.

The report added: “The comment of neighbours in relation to ‘incidences’ is noted. It would appear that only one such case involved near neighbours and was resolved speedily.”

The application, by the Priory Group, was given the go-ahead.

After the meeting a school spokesman added: “Coxlease has received the highest possible rating by Ofsted, with the most recent report specifically singles out the ‘outstanding’ behaviour of its pupils.

“The day school has been run since 2013 by a highly-respected principal and senior management team.

“Its expansion is to meet a clear, local demand for this type of education provision, which caters for vulnerable children with emotional, social and mental health difficulties, and autism.

“It is no longer a residential school, and there are no children on site during holiday periods.

“The school works closely and effectively with local authorities and the local community.”