More than 500 people turned out to hear from pressure groups, politicians and the Education Funding Agency (EFA) as a permanent location for The Heights School was debated as part of the public consultation.

Though the EFA’s project director insisted they had no “fixed view” Mapledurham Playing Fields appeared to garner support from many in the audience as well as the school trust’s spokesman.

Dan Pagella, speaking for The Heights trust, said: “We have always said right from the beginning that we think Mapledurham Playing Fields is a great site. There has been a lot of pressure for us to make that view public.”

Since the EFA bought land in Upper Warren Avenue for the 350 place primary school they have been forced back to the drawing board due to local uproar over using the High Ridge site.

Luke Kennedy, project director for the EFA, was left to field the majority of questions during last night’s two-and-a-half hour session at the Rivermead Leisure Complex.

Last night’s meeting marked the first occasion the government agency has had to consult the public after selecting and buying land with the view to building a school on it.

Mr Kennedy said: “I think it is fair to say we did not anticipate such a strong reaction to this. This is not something we have ever done before. It is quite unlike us to go back on a site after we have purchased it.”

Representatives from the groups seeking to defend each of the five sites being considered were given a chance to argue their case and respond to residents’ queries.

Speaking for Reading Borough Council was education leader Cllr John Ennis who echoed the message that the need for a school could not be outweighed by disagreements over a location.

He said: “I think this is the best opportunity in a generation to make sure there are enough school places in north west Caversham.”

The five sites being considered are High Ridge in Upper Warren Avenue, Mapledurham Playing Fields, Bugs Bottom, Albert Road Park and Dyson’s Farm.

From Monday a public survey being conducted by Reading Borough Council will go live for four weeks allowing residents to formally submit any objections.

Once closed the EFA will then consider the feedback before making a final decision on where to build a permanent school to replace the temporary site in Gosbrook Road.

To submit objections online see beta.reading.gov.uk/schoolsite or write to The Heights Consultation, Civic Offices, Bridge Street, RG1 2LU.