CLIVE Westall the appointed headteacher of St Francis School says he can't wait to turn his visions into reality.

The Taw Hill Church of England school for children aged three to 11-year-olds is due to open in September.

And according to Mr Westall, applications are flooding in from parents, eager to secure places for their children.

So far, of the 115 places originally up for grabs, 99 have been filled.

Already, the experienced head, who arrived from Ross-on-Wye in January, has appointed a deputy and a nursery school teacher.

Now he is in the process of interviewing Key Stage 1 and reception candidates to teach five to seven and four to five-year-olds, respectively.

"We have had a very good response to our advertisements and we feel that the candidates we have chosen so far will make a big impact," said Mr Westall.

"Both come to the school with excellent references and impressed us greatly at interview with their enthusiasm and ideas.

"They are extremely talented teachers and have around 10 years experience between them."

Mr Westall believes the inclusion of a nursery with room for 26 toddlers is a major plus for the school.

He said: "We will be able to build relationships a lot sooner with the children and that is important.

"We want to build a real school community and the nursery will play an important role in that process."

Although many pupils will have to be taught in temporary classrooms until work is finally completed in December, Mr Westall is confident things will run smoothly.

He stressed: "This will be a temporary measure while the finishing touches are done to the building.

"I am extremely excited by this project and we're making excellent progress."

A parents teachers association has also been set up to iron out any teething problems that may develop along the way.

The school will also be home to the local Anglican congregation.

At the moment, worshippers use the Taw Hill Worship Centre for weekly prayer meetings.

The Rev Ruth Cram, vicar of St Andrew's North Swindon parish, welcomed the decision.

She said: "I have always believed that schools belong to the community and should be used outside school hours.

Mrs Cram, who has also been appointed chairwoman of the new school's board of governors, added: "Like congregation numbers in north Swindon, community spirit is increasing and it's very pleasing to see."

Mr Westall will be holding an open meeting with parents at 1pm on Tuesday, April 27 at the Taw Hill Worship Centre.

Kevin Shoesmith