According to a senior Swindon Council education official it would be a 'catastrophe' if the North Swindon secondary school does not open in September 2004 at the latest.

Education officer Norrie Porter told parents at a meeting held at Abbey Meads primary school on 15 November that 'there would be a crisis in the council' if the deadline was not met.

The packed and sometimes heated meeting heard the council's proposals to build a new school in Haydon 3, rebuild Hreod Parkway on one site and provide five new primary schools. With adequate publicity more people could have attended. Parents were only informed of the meeting in a letter sent out via primary schools two days beforehand. And as it was held in a small room, some people were seen to leave because they could not get in and take part.

Mr Porter said there were five new primary schools planned, with one managed as a Church of England Aided school at Taw Hill. The Catholic Church may also be responsible for one. However the next primary school to be built will be either next to the secondary school in Haydon 3 or adjacent to the Redrow development, near Lady Lane.

His announcement that it is not programmed to open until September 2002 caused upset, as this would involve erecting up to three mobiles each at Abbey Meads and Catherine Wayte schools.

He said the building of the first houses in Haydon 3 by late 2001 would release the land for the secondary school, but it would be a 'catastrophe' if it did not open in September 2004 at the latest. There will be a need for 540 secondary school places and the council proposes to rebuild Hreod Parkway on one site, but work would not start until 2003. Alison Jarvis from Woodhall Park said this was inadequate as the present accommodation at Hreod is sub-standard.

A number of parents expressed anger when Mr Porter said the new school was likely to open with year 7 and possibly year 9 only. There was further disquiet when he told the meeting that children attending Abbey Meads and Catherine Wayte schools might not have the automatic choice of the new school. A decision would be made by the council closer to the opening date.

The council is to circulate a consultation document to parents via schools, to be returned by early January. A decision to proceed on the proposals will be made by the cabinet in February, to be followed by a three month period for objections. Final decisions will be made by the end of the academic year.

Hreod parents get the chance to discuss the council's plans on Monday 4 December, 7pm.