ONE of Hampshire's top state schools has come under fire for "stockpiling" a £700,000 war chest ahead of massive expansion plans.

Kings' School in Winchester wants to add six extra classrooms to help cope with pupil numbers which have soared from 1,097 in summer 1996 to a projected roll of 1,618 from September.

The popular mixed comprehensive, which was second in the county in last year's GCSE results, aims to fund the building programme from its own coffers.

But the plans have triggered strong public criticism at a time when 37 per cent of Hampshire schools are running deficit budgets.

Liberal Democrat councillor Ann Bailey told last night's meeting of the county education committee that the plans were a "recipe for chaos".

She said: "To allow one school to grow to such a size will have a knock-on effect on other schools. It is increasing in an unsustainable way."

The Rev David Turner, a co-opted member of the committee, said: "If this school is able to increase its efficiency to the point where it can manage on less than its delegated budget then the headmaster should be sent around the country to give seminars."

Councillors heard that the school enjoyed large economies of scale because of its size and had saved money through efficient use of buildings, including a sale of part of its site.

It also received extra transitional funding during the introduction of local management for schools.

County education officer Andrew Seber added: "The school was upgraded when it was formed from two separate schools in 1985. If you have a governing body with new buildings then you don't have to spend so much on repairs and maintenance."

Head teachers elsewhere in Hampshire have told the Daily Echo privately of their shock and surprise at Kings' financial resources.

One said: "This is much the biggest amount of cash held at a Hampshire state school."

Kings' head teacher Ray Bradbury is currently on sick leave, but governors' chairman Paul Bray has insisted the growth of the school is simply a result of academic success rather than a deliberate policy.

The Daily Echo revealed last week that more than 100 children had been denied places at the school amid council fears about overcrowding. Several parents are taking legal advice over possible court action.

Last night's meeting resulted in approval of a consultation exercise with schools likely to be affected by King's enlargement.

The school was not immediately available for comment on its cash savings.

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