A ROW has broken out over a £6 million pledge to a primary school in Malmesbury from tech entrepreneur Sir James Dyson.

Back in March, the billionaire pledged the donation to the outstanding-rated Malmesbury Primary School - which is close to the Dyson campus - through his charitable foundation to help it expand and build a new technology centre.

The James Dyson Foundation has provided equipment, workshops and small donations to the school in the past which is why head teacher Steve Heal approached it about funding an expansion.

Sir James offered to fund a STEAM centre - which stands for science, technology, engineering, art and maths - plus seven new classrooms and a school hall.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Sir James DysonSir James Dyson (Image: Dyson)

Dyson has already funded a similar centre, designed by Wilkinson Eyre, at Gresham's School - the independent school in Norfolk which Sir James attended, which was built in 2021.

The Malmesbury donation has been conditional on the state school receiving approval from the Department for Education's regional office to expand its numbers from 420 to 630.

However, Wiltshire Council has not supported the expansion as it believes it could result in the closure of other primary schools in the area.

Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council's cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Wiltshire Council is committed to ensuring all our school pupils have access to opportunities that excite and inspire them to achieve the very best.

"There are already sufficient places in the three local schools to cater for expected demand and so we have expressed our concern that a potential 210 additional places at Malmesbury Primary School would have a severe impact on neighbouring schools, reducing their pupil numbers and putting their future sustainability at risk.”

After a meeting with the advisory board, Department for Education’s regional director announced last week that the decision had been referred to ministers.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: “We are extremely grateful for Sir James Dyson’s generosity. 

"As with any decision on expanding schools, there is a formal process that must be followed and a decision is yet to be made.”

In response, Mr Heal called Wiltshire Council's reservations 'short-sighted' and is urging education ministers to think about the long term growth of the town.

He said the other primary school in town - St Joseph's - is hemmed in by listed buildings, therefore this is the last opportunity for a primary school in Malmesbury to expand.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Mr Heal next to the land which has be allocated for the school's expansionMr Heal next to the land which has be allocated for the school's expansion (Image: Camilla Foster)

Land next to the primary has already been allocated for expansion by Wiltshire Council as part of a planning agreement with Permission Homes but this will be returned to the developer in 2031 if the school isn't allowed to enlarge.

Mr Heal said: "This is about getting ahead of the growth of the town and is specifically not about taking pupils from other schools - we really don't want that to happen or have that effect.

"Wiltshire Council secured the land for the expansion and now that the opportunity to expand has arisen they are no longer supporting it and I think that is short-sighted.

"Why can't our country recognise that this is a golden egg opportunity, grasp it with both hands and run with it.

"Children are the future, the things we do today with our children shape the society of tomorrow."

A James Dyson Foundation spokesperson said: "It is deeply disappointing that the Department for Education’s regional director has failed to take this opportunity to approve the donation.

"Investing in our children’s future is essential and we now pin all our hopes on the secretary of state making the right decision quickly for this outstanding primary school.”