One room is used for lessons, assemblies and school dinners

Frant Church of England Primary School is 150 years old and the head teacher says the Victorian building is not suited to the needs of the children.

He has called on the county council to build a new school for the town.

But the council said other areas have taken priority, though Frant could be given funding for a new school soon.

The school has about 100 children, aged between four and 11.

'Missing out'

Head teacher Paul Shelford said: "Although it's a lovely Victorian building it isn't suited to the needs of these children.

"We haven't got the space, particularly for the bigger children and we have to stagger playtimes.

"Obviously we're doing our best to cope but these children really need a new school."

Playtimes are staggered to stop the playground getting crowded

The school's most recent Ofsted report, in 2002, highlighted cramped accomodation, saying it "seriously impedes personal, physical and creative development and is having an adverse effect on the quality of pupils' learning."

Parent governor Amanda Douch said: "We think the children really are missing out, because the teachers have to always gear their lessons to what they can do in the space, not what the children should be learning."

East Sussex County Council admitted other areas had taken priority over Frant but that the town could soon be given funding for a new school.

Spokesman Matt Dunkley said: "It's a question of priorities and each year we have to assess all of the demands for the capital money we have and prioritise them.

"Every year there are more demands than there is money.

"Thus far Frant hasn't come to the top of the priorities list but it's pretty close to that now, so we're hoping that in the next round of funding we will be able to do something for Frant."