'A SURGE' of Vale youngsters staying on at school to take A levels is forcing education bosses to put up more temporary classrooms.

Wychavon District Council's planning committee reluctantly agreed to two Worcestershire County Council requests to site temporary classes at Evesham's Prince Henry's High School and Pershore High School.

Councillors agreed to the applications on condition that the mobile units were there for three years only and that a letter was sent to the county council stating their dissatisfaction at the lack of permanent buildings.

The county council wants to put a two-roomed mobile unit at Prince Henry's and a similar one at Pershore High, with a science laboratory.

In support of its Evesham application the county council said that a forecasted 'surge' in sixth form numbers made the unit essential to accommodate all pupils in September.

It added that county council's bids to the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) to allow it to build new permanent classrooms had been turned down for the past three years.

"This request was refused on each occasion and now that the numbers have arrived as forecast by the school and local authority, the latter is left with no option other than to place temporary accommodation on site despite it serving a permanent need."

The council had a similar message in support of its Pershore application, which it said was again essential to accommodate all pupils in September.

"The school is experiencing a surge in sixth form numbers, as well as higher intakes lower down the school as a result of new housing in the catchment."

John Baxter, of the county council's education services, said schools were under pressure trying to accommodate the differing needs of sixth formers and younger pupils.

"Breaking point has already been reached and the LEA will be submitting yet another justified bid for permanent accommodation this autumn in the hope the DfEE, and the Further Education Funding Council, will act rationally and accept the urgent need," he said.

He warned that if this application was unsuccessful, and the DfEE again refused permission for permanent buildings on the grounds that there were sufficient extra places at Evesham College, the council might be in the same position next year.