A LONG-AWAITED and debated primary school is reaching the final stages of completion.

Building work at Oakhurst Primary School, off Pioneer Road, Priory Vale, north Swindon, is set to finish by the end of June according to Coun Garry Perkins, cabinet member for children’s services.

The £7m building will then be handed over to the local authority in early to mid August ready for the start of the new school year.

The school was designed to help alleviate pressures for places in north Swindon.

However, it became a subject of controversy in February last year after plans were submitted by a Muslim group to run it as a faith school.

The Al Habib Islamic Centre’s bid was rejected in favour of a community school by the Schools’ Adjudicator.

Headteacher Dale Burr said: “Parents are delighted as they have been fighting for this school for a long time.

“In September, parents will be able to walk their children to their local school instead of driving miles across Swindon.”

Built by Swindon Commercial Services, the school has 16 classrooms, two halls, three community rooms, a sports field and bike shelters.

Oakhurst Primary School has been run in a temporary building since last September with 50 children in nursery and reception on roll.

The mobile classrooms will be removed at the end of July.

From September, the school will be expanded to accommodate children from nursery to Year 6 with a capacity of 472.

At present the school has places still available for Years 1 to 6 only with approximately 200 children signed up for nursery to Year 6 so far.

Last week Mr Burr said the school had recruited Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 staff, but there are still two more positions to fill before the start of term.

Coun Perkins said the ‘bidding war’ which had broken out over the future of the school had set the project back.

“It delayed it opening by several months,” he said. “It put a lot of pressure on delivery.”

He said he understood the final touches were being made, such as putting in the electrics and plastering.

Mr Burr said for the community of Oakhurst the school was essential.

He said: “For many years now families have travelled across Swindon in search of school places as the northern sector is extremely popular.

“This has limited opportunities for children to learn about their own community and build friendships in their neighbourhood.

“The new school will be the hub of Oakhurst and the support already received at community events indicate that we will be a thriving community school.

“The children are getting more and more excited as they see the changes taking place and help plan the designs with the building team.”