THE future of Beech Down Primary School, which was badly damaged in an arson attack two years ago, is to be decided next week.

Six options will be put before members of Hampshire County Council about the school, which has been housed in temporary buildings since the fire in November 2000.

They include not rebuilding or replacing the school at all, rebuilding on its present site or rebuilding on the Beggarwood Lane development.

Members of the education policy review committee will meet on Tuesday to consider the options and make a recommendation to Cllr Don Allen, the council's executive member for education, who is due to reach a final decision next Thursday.

A report to be presented on Tuesday says the fire had a "traumatic effect" on the local community.

The report, from county education officer Andrew Seber, says parents and governors want the school rebuilt on its present site - with staff also supporting this option - or at least a transfer to the Beggarwood Lane site.

Members will be told that at the time of the fire the school, with a capacity of 300, had 241 pupils and there is a forecast that by January 2006 this will have fallen to 145.

The future of the school is now being considered against the background of future primary school provision in south west Basingstoke.

The options for the school are rebuilding on the current site to 300 places, rebuilding on the current site with a reduced capacity of 210 places, or rebuilding at Beggarwood Lane as a 210-place school in response to likely future demand for places.

Alternatively, there are options not to rebuild but to increase capacity at the Manor Field and Chalk Ridge schools, or increase the capacity at St Mark's, or simply not to rebuild or replace Beech Down at all.

The 25-page report makes no recommendation on the preferred option, but sets out responses to consultations and gives the pros and cons of each option -- although it does say that simply not rebuilding or replacing the school has received no support.

Cllr Allen said he would look carefully at all comments before making any decision.

"I fully understand that many people have views on what the county council should do, including a very strong feeling from Beech Down that the school should be rebuilt on its original site," he said.