AS pupils returned to school for the new term, they were looking

forward to lessons in new classrooms built at a cost of £190,000.

But when the Year 6 pupils, aged ten and 11, stepped through the school gates it was more like a scene from Alice in Wonderland.

A mix-up between education officers and architects had led to the classrooms and toilets being built for infant pupils instead - five years their junior.

The cubicle doors in the toilets were so low that pupils could see over the top, they had to crouch down to use the sinks and had to get on their knees to open cupboards.

The new block was seen as vital for the Polegate County Primary School's 10 to 11 year olds as they prepare to go on to Secondary School the following year.

But because of the embarrassing muddle, the classrooms are now lying empty.

Head teacher Clive Hale said: "Everything is so tiny it's ridiculous.

"These children are almost teenagers and to expect them to use facilities designed for six-year-olds is lunacy."

Education bosses at East Sussex County Council say an estimated £2,000 is now being spent to replace fittings.

But the design problem is just one of a long list of faults with the new block.

These include faulty heating, only 25 clothes pegs provided for 60 children, cupboard doors not closing properly and a hand dryer installed with cables left visible.

Norman Baker MP recently visited the school and has now written to Denise Stokoe, director of education at East Sussex County Council, demanding to know how the blunders occurred.

He said: "It is highly regrettable at a time when funds are so badly needed for basic works to our local schools that money should have been wasted in this way. I find it extraordinary that mistakes of this nature could have been made. I believe there needs to be an urgent inquiry to establish how this could have happened."

A county council spokesman blamed a communication breakdown between education officers and representatives of architects Owen Williams, contracted to carry out the job.

He said: "There were some misunderstandings with the architects which resulted in some fixtures of the wrong size being provided.

Mr Hale is furious the situation arose and is calling for more school involvement in building work in future.

Year 6 pupils will continue being taught in the main building at the school while repairs are carried out at the extension.

A spokesman for Owen Williams confirmed the blunder was caused by a breakdown in communication and added: "I must stress that the alterations required cost very little and we are working to put them right."

Pupils at the school are not impressed by their new extension. Stephanie Scarborough, ten, said: "It's silly. When you sit down on a chair your knees are up to your chin."

Oliver Marchant, also ten, added: "The work tops only come up to your waist."

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