It will be replaced by a new academy to house 1,200 pupils aged three to 18.

A Bristol City Council spokeswoman said the proposals for the academy only came to light after the "last touches of paint" were put on the building.

New Oak Primary, Hengrove, was formed when Petherton Road Infants and Tyning Hengrove Juniors merged in 2004.

They [the DfES] had no way of knowing we were carrying out the refurbishment Bristol City Council spokeswoman

The council have admitted though that the circumstances surrounding the move are "embarrassing" but insist they could not have been avoided.

"We accept it [the refurbishment] has been a waste of money, but it's too good an opportunity to pass up

"We've put our heads above the parapet and we're doing this in the best interests of the children."

Parents are now being consulted over the proposed academy, although the plans are likely to be given the go-ahead.

'Smooth transition'

"We were literally putting the last touches of paint on the �1m refurbishment, when the Department for Education & Skills said `We've had an idea about making Hengrove an all-through academy'.

"They had no way of knowing we were carrying out the refurbishment and we had no idea they were going to come to us with this idea," the council spokeswoman added

The new school, which could open in September 2008, hopes to offer a smooth transition for pupils between nursery, primary and secondary education, by basing them all on one site..

Plans for the academy have been backed by the Christian organisation Oasis Trust, which has pledged �2m to the scheme. The remaining cost will be picked up by the government.