AN INDEPENDENT adjudicator has heard the arguments for and against increasing pupil numbers at Highcliffe School.

A special meeting was held at the Christchurch secondary this week where parties from both sides of the debate laid out their stalls over the proposals.

Governors at Highcliffe want to add an extra class of 30 pupils to its annual intake from 2006 in a bid to meet demand for places.

But fears for the future of the Grange School at Somerford have prompted Dorset County Council to make a formal objection to the plans, which is now being decided by the independent Schools Adjudicator.

Cllr John Lofts, one of the governors at Highcliffe, attended the meeting. He said: "The feeling was that most of the objections were resolved concerning fears about the Grange staying open, but of course we will have to wait and see for the adjudicator's report in a few weeks.

"Highcliffe is a popular school and if you look at its exam results you can see why. Those people who cannot get into Highcliffe or Twynham are choosing not to stay in public education and turn to private instead.

"Even with Homefield now closed there is a good choice of other private schools in the area."

He says that the public's negative view of the Grange would change.

"There's a good new head at the Grange and examination results will improve over time," he added.

As Highcliffe is a foundation school it can in theory decide its own admissions policy.

The move to increase pupil numbers comes in the wake of outcry last year when more than 40 pupils from Mudeford Junior were turned away from Highcliffe, while children from as far afield as Brockenhurst and Sway were given places.

First published: August 26