THE search is on to fill teaching vacancies at a new Swindon primary school. St Francis School in Taw Hill will open its doors in September.

With building work set to begin early next month, newly-appointed headteacher Clive Westall, who took up his post on January 1, is wasting no time.

Top of the Mr Westall's list is to recruit teachers.

"We are now in the process of recruitment and we are looking to create five posts," he said.

The posts available are for a deputy head, a nursery teacher, a Key Stage One teacher and a Key Stage Two teacher.

In addition an administration assistant will be taken on to help ease the pressure on the new head.

Mr Westall, who was previously head of a school in Ross-on-Wye, hopes to fill the vacancies before Easter, allowing the new team to work together with regular meetings before the children arrive.

He said: "It is very important that all the staff are given a chance to get to know each other.

"The teachers will hold their present posts until their contracts expire in August. But I am keen to get to know them before that.

"We are looking to form good relationships with both the children and parents."

The positions will be advertised through Swindon Council in the next fortnight.

Although the plans for the school have had to be modified to accommodate a new church, Mr Westall is confident things will be running smoothly in time for the start of the new academic year.

He said: "The plans have been tweaked slightly to take into account the new church, but things are generally looking good.

"The church will mean the school will have a strong Christian ethos and that is good.

"Having a congregation based at the school will help the community evolve."

The Rev Ruth Cram, who runs her congregation from the Taw Hill Worship Centre, will also be chairing the board of governors. She said: "It was hoped that a purpose-built church could be built in Taw Hill, but that wasn't possible.

"Before Christmas, plans for the school were changed to include the church.

"Initially, some of the classes may have to be taught in temporary accommodation while the work is completed."

Interviews for the vacancies will take place in March.