SIX - that's how many pupils have joined Basingstoke's doomed Beech Down Primary School for its final year.

However, while the arson-hit school has been earmarked for the axe, the youngsters are guaranteed an excellent start to their education, according to acting headteacher Christine Sloan.

The school in Gershwin Road, Brighton Hill, was ravaged by a fire in November 2000.

Hampshire County Council's education chief Cllr Don Allen decided last year it would not be rebuilt, despite a Gazette-led campaign and a storm of protest from the Basingstoke community.

Nearby primary schools such as Manor Field Infant and Junior, Hatch Warren Infant and Junior, St Mark's Primary and Chalk Ridge Primary will officially welcome Beech Down pupils in September 2004.

Local parents have already started to send their children to these schools since the closure decision was taken, and this has clearly contributed to this year's single figure intake. However, Mrs Sloan said this could work to the pupils' advantage.

"Our pupils have more one-to-one contact with adults now," she said. "The staff can cover a lot more ground and pick up problems more quickly.

"Being in such small groups can have its disadvantages too though. The pupils have less of a social mix, so wherever possible we try to invite other schools here so our pupils can have an idea of what it will be like when they have to start at their new schools next year. But they are getting a very good start to their education."

This year's reception class has been mixed with the Year 1 and Year 2 class - making 12 in total.

Mrs Sloan said the school has sought advice from literacy and numeracy consultants to ensure its carefully-planned curriculum meets all the pupils needs. The class also contains two classroom assistants.

Elsewhere in the school, the combined Year 3, 4 and 5 class has 19 pupils, as does Year 6. Before the 2000 fire, the school taught more than 240 Brighton Hill youngsters.

Mrs Sloan said: "The school is a lot quieter than it used to be. The older children know they have to leave next year and are unhappy that the decision to close the school was taken. I'm not sure how well the younger ones understand the situation yet though.

"The term has got off to a very smooth start, none-the-less.

"We are committed to giving the children the best possible education we can, as we always have.

"We're trying to make it a lively, last year - a year to remember."