ANGRY parents, governors and staff are demanding that a planned £2million upgrade of Shaldon Primary School is speeded up.

And a county councillor has admitted that progress has been slow.

The Victorian site desperately needs improvements, and although £900,000 has been allocated by the county council, there is no sign of when the balance will be approved.

Now the patience of all those connected with the school has run out.

'We are the most successful school in the area, and one of the best in the county, and our staff are regularly seconded to help failing schools in Devon, and yet we are being snubbed by the council,' said Jon Rawson, chairman of the governors.

'Millions have been spent on other schools in the area, yet our plight is being overlooked.'

The school, which has 210 pupils – including some from Teignmouth – was given planning approval three years ago for two new classrooms to replace the 'temporary' structures, and a new school hall.

Currently the school is on two sites, with children having to walk alongside the busy main road across the bridge between sites.

Recently a car went out of control and smashed into the wall near the entrance, but luckily it happened in the half-term break when there were no children or waiting parents around.

Mr Rawson pointed out that strictly, the existing hall was illegal, because it can only accommodate 80 people at a time, meaning it is impossible to hold assemblies with all the pupils and staff present.

Sometimes it was 'overcrowded', but this was often unavoidable.

Said Mr Rawson: 'Re-developing this site is more expensive because the Environment Agency insists that flood prevention measures have to be incorporated because of the flood threat from the estuary.

'We think we deserve the scheme, and the county council should get on with as soon as possible. It is very frustrating to be overlooked when we see all the cash being pumped into other schools.

'We are not getting a fair deal, and being promised £900,000 without a date being given for the rest of the money, is just not fair. Shaldon is being given a raw deal.'

The local county councillor, David Cox, said he understood the frustration over the delay, especially after the governors had agreed to support other schools.

'Shaldon has had excellent educational results, and exceptional leadership. I know the staff and governors have been generous in enabling other schools in Devon to benefit from their expertise, which has helped to raise standards across the county.

'While we have had progress, it has been far too slow. I will continue to lobby for the additional funding. It is admittedly an expensive project, but one that will enable the school to continue to expand its wider role.

"This is an investment in all Devon's children, not just a village school.'