WORK has been completed on a state-of-the-art school building which will provide space for 420 extra pupils.

The new building has been completed at the new Holy Cross Primary School, off Queens Drive, and is aimed at tackling the emerging demand for spaces at town-centre schools in Swindon.

Construction firm Beard carried out the work, in partnership with the Clifton Diocese and Swindon Borough Council, to deliver the 1,998 sq-m design earlier than planned.

Beard director, Marc Bayley, said the development would help ease the impact of any continuing rise in pupil numbers.

“We are pleased to have worked with the Clifton Diocese and Swindon Borough Council to deliver this vital new school building,” he said.

“The new school will not only help to meet the increased demand for primary school places in the centre of Swindon, but will provide a first-class education facility and modern learning environment for local children.”

Mr Nick Tarr, the Clifton Diocesian secretary, said: “We are impressed by Beard’s professionalism; this high quality project was launched with challenging timescales.”

Plans to build the new primary school were approved by the government in March last year. The school is the new home of an expanded Holy Rood Junior School, which has been renamed Holy Cross School, and was built on the site of the former St Joseph’s School.

At the time, Holy Rood head teacher Tony McAteer, said: “Expansion into an all-through primary school is very exciting and we are delighted to be able to offer 30 reception class places in September to meet local demand. The Catholic Christian ethos of the existing school will be retained by Holy Cross Catholic Primary School, providing pupils with an excellent education.”

Visit www.holycross.swindon.

sch.uk to find out more.