THE SCHOOL places crisis in Whiteley was under the spotlight today as Hampshire's education chiefs were coming face-to-face with council leaders.

Top of the agenda was the possibility of a new primary school going up in the grounds of Whiteley's new church, granted planning permission earlier this year.

The Rev Judy Henning, of Whiteley Church, which currently meets in the town's community hall, has backed the idea for a new church school to create more primary school places.

Today's meeting comes after Hampshire education bosses last month revealed they were looking for land to build a new one-form-entry primary school in Whiteley.

As no sites have been identified, Fareham council's executive leader Councillor Sean Woodward and Winchester City Council leader Sheila Campbell hope to put a strong case forward for the new church school.

The two leaders, whose councils each cover half of Whiteley, also want to see a new secondary school for the new town's catchment area.

In a joint statement they said: "We attach a great deal of importance to ensuring appropriate school provision is made for the young people living in our communities, which unfortunately we believe in recent years has not kept pace with housing developments."

The search for a new primary school for Whiteley comes after 34 boys and girls missed out on reception class places in September.

After they lost their appeals, the council insisted the shortage of places was due to a temporary blip in the population.

However, in a tacit admission that they got their sums wrong, education chiefs last month announced their intention to build another primary school.