A rural school has become so popular that nine new classrooms are planned over the next three years.

Applications to Icknield Community College, Watlington, have soared since headteacher Paula Taylor-Moore took over the reins in 1998. The school, for 11- to 16-year-olds, has 500 students, but is expected to take 750 by 2004.

Oxfordshire County Council's education committee has agreed to fund three classrooms so that an extra 90 students can take up places in September.

The existing staff room and a building occupied by an adult education group will be converted to provide the extra classrooms at a cost of more than £200,000.

A decision is expected shortly on funding for a new science block and art facilities planned as a second phase of building work due to start in February.

The catchment area includes Benson, Chinnor and Chiselhampton, and Mrs Taylor-Moore said pupils who might otherwise have chosen to go to schools in Thame, Wheatley and Wallingford were being attracted by changes she had implemented.

"There have been big changes in staffing. The uniform has changed, and discipline is better. There's more democracy and students have a greater say.

"We are getting bigger but we're keeping our character. This is still a local, rural school."