It's a mixed day for Swindon's schools. Pinehurst Infants (above) is one of 18 to get a cash bonus, while Goddard Park has scooped £1 million for an extension. But Churchfields may lose £600,000 and its performing arts status.

A PRIMARY school in Park North has been given a grant that will total more than £1 million to build an extension that will place it at the heart of community life.

Goddard Park Primary School will become Swindon's first ever Centre of Early Excellence with facilities for everyone from babies to pensioners.

The funding will consist of between £300,000 and £500,000 to build an extension and a similar amount to run it.

It will house seven rooms including a crche, coffee bar, daycare room and classrooms for adult learning and community use.

Headteacher Mike Welsh said: "I am delighted that the hard work of our staff and children has received national recognition, it will enable us the resources to continue our work as a school for the community.

"I would like to thank Swindon's LEA, the Early Years Partnership, Julia Drown MP and the Welcome Centre in Park North for their support and encouragement.

"This will be a superb resource for Park North and for Swindon."

There is only one other similar project in the country, in St Helens, Lancashire, and Mr Welsh is optimistic it will be a huge success.

He said: "It will make us a school for everyone from the age of nought to 100.

"We can have over-60s groups meeting here and then talking to our children about what it was like to grow up in Swindon, for example.

"We have been granted this funding because the Government believes that what is happening at Goddard Park is high quality, that is why we are a centre for excellence."

The school had to produce a detailed package explaining their bid and how the money would be spent.

They were then visited by a team of inspectors who took into account its excellent Ofsted reports.

The Government Education minister Baroness Catherine Ashton said: "As a beacon of excellence in integrated early years education, childcare and family support services, the centre will help deliver our vision by raising standards in the community.

"The plan is that the centres like Goddard Park Primary School will play an important role in the development of the children's centre concept.

"The knowledge and experience of these centres will be of great relevance as we work to extend integrated provision across the country."

South Swindon MP Julia Drown said: "I am delighted to hear this news and would like to offer the headteacher, staff and pupils my congratulations and to wish the school every success in the future."