DISCUSSIONS could soon start to move the whole of Holy Cross School into a new building along Queens Drive in September.

As it stands, the current reception group and next year’s intake will be the only ones to move to the new site, with the rest staying at the current Upham Road site.

However, governors are considering moving everyone in one go so the whole pupil body can remain together.

Nothing is official yet but it is expected parents and others in the community will be consulted shortly after Christmas if the Clifton Diocese, which runs the school, decides to push ahead with the move.

Holy Cross headteacher Tony McAteer said: “It is something which is being considered and the next stage will be to speak with the wider community and the parents.

“What the teachers and governors all want is what is best for the children and we feel that is the whole school being together.

“There will be some who are inconvenienced but younger children look up to the older ones and see them as role models.

“This wouldn’t happen if they were in separate buildings.”

It has also been confirmed that next September, two reception classes will start at the school as opposed to the one originally planned.

This will help deal with an excess of pupils in the central and southern regions of the town next year. It was revealed last week that for the next two years ‘bulge classes’ will be needed so the 2015 intake will be picked up by Holy Cross.

The other primary schools in the region will be approached in the coming months about the possibility of taking on the 2016 bulge class.

“This is absolutely fantastic news and we’re delighted to take on this class,” said Mr McAteer.

“Clifton Diocese was approached by the local authority about the possibility and has confirmed we will now take this class.

“It is a great example of working together. Initially we were going to have one class of 30 places in September but we will now take on 60.

“We have the space and we will take on the staff so there will be no problems.”

The new school is currently being built on land adjacent to St Joseph’s School and is expected to be ready by July next year.

“We have been assured by the contractors that unless there is a sudden turn in the weather everything is going to plan,” said Mr McAteer.

“The building is being constructed elsewhere and then moved across. It should be up around Christmas time.”

Parents have until January 15 to apply for their primary school places. The form can be found at www.swindon.gov.uk/schoolplaces or by calling 01793 445500.