A GROWING school is launching a £50,000 fundraising campaign to build a new classroom.

Staff and parents at Bampton CofE Primary are today unveiling a sponsor-a-brick scheme to raise cash.

The school in Bowling Green Close is expecting its largest intake of 27 children in September and the extra space will mean year groups can be taught separately and not in mixed classes.

Headteacher Carol Phillips said: “We have had 27 first choices for our reception class this year. Normally we would get between 20 and 22. We have our largest intake coming in our foundation stage.

“We want to anticipate these numbers though, rather than wait, and be prepared in advance.”

The school has six classrooms and up to 30 pupils in each year group.

It already has £50,000 in capital funding and hopes the remaining £50,000 will be raised through donations and fundraising, including the sponsor-a-brick scheme. Sponsors can pay £30 per brick or buy 10 for £250.

Today’s launch features a display from the Falcons Parachute Display Team, based at RAF Brize Norton.

Plans for the new school will be on display and a planning application is being prepared. It is hoped the classroom will be ready by September 2014.

Governors’ chairman Fiona Farmer said: “Thev school has long desired to provide a class per school age year. We have managed to sustain this for infant classes over the last seven years and with an increase in intake this year in the foundation class, we need to secure space for the juniors.

“We are also looking to the future and would like to provide hot school meals as well as a breakfast and after-school club.”

Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for education Melinda Tilley said the school was not one being expanded by the council.

She added: “They are obviously doing it themselves because they feel they need to improve what they have got. The best of luck to them.”