A NEW private junior school in Winchester will see a rise in its intake of pupils by as much as 70 per cent.

St Swithun’s new £10 million project is due to open in September 2015 and will see its current intake of 190 students grow to as many as 260.

The new C-shape building features a large glass entrance leading to a two-story atrium, with an inner court yard including a free-flow play area for the younger years, individual work pods and specialist teaching rooms.

Many of the classrooms have floor-to-ceiling windows to take advantage of the views over the South Downs National Park and make the most of natural light.

Deputy head teacher Kate Grosscurth said: “When we first started the construction the staff and students had a lot of input as to what our ideal classrooms would look like. Our school council, made up of children – called the apprentices – gave their strong views as to what they would like to see. Last year we had a construction week and once we had broke the ground they had to be involved from that day.

“They had visits to the site and took part in projects which were held in class. When it came to the courtyard we told them ‘this is the budget, what do you want?’ and they got really excited about it. We had loads of designs with different mood boards.”

Simon Mayes, development manager, said: “There has been the concern about disruption but we have taken this and turned it into a real advantage. The site manager is always here; all the children wave and say ‘morning Trevor’. In fact he’s almost a member of the staff.”

Another development, which is being built in addition to the C-block, will be finished in January 2016 and will contain a performing arts and indoor hall.

Classes, which are currently 24 pupils in size, will be lowered to between 16-18 and there will be two classes per year from nursery to year 6.

“In terms of the demand when we build a new school we ask ‘are we going to fill it and how quickly?’ and we’re really encouraged that all the year groups were full already and with 10 months to go,” Mr Mayes said. “There’s still space in the nursery but were confident we will fill those.”

Mr Mayes said though some parents and residents had raised concerns about the added congestion to the already-problematic one-way system the school was doing everything it can to ease it.

He added: “We have 500 girls in the senior school, plus 190 day girls, so what we’re trying to do is manage that on site as best as possible. Also staff members are parking in carparks on the back fields to free up the one-way system.

“We have parking marshals who encourage people to move on and use the drop-off point. We know the problems it causes if you’re commuting along that road. It’s busy, yes, but we’re trying our best.”