A PARENT of a pupil at The Petersfield School is demanding to know what has happened to £500,000 received in a planning deal from Tesco.

The money was given to the school by the supermarket in return for a footpath connecting the school to the town centre.

The then head of TPS, Kathy Bell, said the money would be spent on additional sporting facilities, including an all-weather pitch, but the pitch has not yet been built.

However, the school recently announced plans to spend £500,000 on a performing arts centre and is in the process of applying for specialist arts college status.

George Restall lived in the town until two years ago. He and his two sisters attended TPS, so did his three children and one is still there. Now he wants to know why the sporting facilities have not been built.

ÒIn 1997 I supported the school land being sold to Tesco,Ó said Mr Restall, Òbecause I understood that the money raised would be used to build a multi-use games area, all-weather floodlit pitch and provide additional sporting facilities.Ó

ÒI want the school governors to come clean as to when they are going to start building the all-weather pitch.

ÒThey had support from the people of the town and East Hampshire District Council. They have all the necessary money and in September last year they got planning permission and yet they have not started. The rest of the money could then be put towards the performing arts centre.

ÒThe youngsters should have the opportunity to develop as sportsmen and women and, who knows, perhaps there might be one of international ability.

ÒBut without proper outdoor sports facilities at the school this is unlikely to happen.

ÒI hope other parents in Petersfield will support me in getting the governors to make a clear, up-to-date statement as to what is going on so that we know exactly where all the money from the sale of land to Tesco is being spent.

ÒI have been asking to meet with the board of governors about this matter since the end of November 2001 but they have still not granted my request.Ó

TPS headteacher Nigel Poole said: ÒSince I was only appointed to TPS in September 2001, I really cannot comment upon remarks made by my predecessor in May 1997.

ÒThe schoolÕs current development plans have been widely publicised recently. They were also freely available in the school prospectus in September 2001 and aired again at the governorsÕ annual general meeting for parents in November 2001.

ÒOur plans, which have received widespread support, remain unchanged. They include the construction of an all-weather, floodlit sports pitch, the building of a centre for the performing arts and a refurbishment programme for the PE changing rooms.

ÒThe governors and I are totally committed to raising standards at the school and providing the widest range of opportunities possible for pupils of The Petersfield School.Ó