WORK is under way to build a new £398,000 classroom to house some of the youngest pupils at an Oxford primary school.

The new classroom, at St Christopher's Primary School in Temple Road, Cowley, will be ready for the new school year in September and will allow the school to take in 45, rather than 30, new pupils.

Parent Teacher Association chairman and mum of two Natalie Bruno said: "It's absolutely fantastic news.

"I have two pupils in nursery at the moment and my daughter Olivia is going to be starting in the new building in September.

"This means she is guaranteed a full-time place when she needs it. It is going to be of huge benefit to the school."

Headteacher Alison Holden said: "The staff, children, parents and governors are delighted to see the new classroom being built.

"It is vital for us because at the moment, we only have one reception room which will only take 30 pupils, meaning 15 children would have to go in the nursery.

"This will mean we can have one class of 22 and one of 23 and will also give stability to our school for the next few years."

Money for the classroom came from developers as part of legal agreements relating to new homes on the former bus depot site in Cowley Road and the former Dyers site in Watlington Road.

Foundations have been poured and construction of the walls is about to start.

Mrs Holden said: "The children can see the work going on and while it will not affect the older children, who have already gone through the foundation stage, they can actually see it growing."

The classroom will also mean the school can introduce a new after-school club.

It has been designed to provide extra storage and the facilities for the club to be started in the near future.

Chairman of governors Boddy Hudson said: "This is excellent for us and I am really pleased that we can expand our capacity for our nursery.

"It also increases our capacity for the school to be used within the community so there will be facilities for other groups, working towards the idea of the school being very central to the community."

Lessons have been moved to temporary accommodation during the work.

The school has 294 pupils, and 51 part-time nursery pupils.

All but one of the year groups is full, with a waiting list for places for September.

Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for schools, said: "St Christopher's Primary School is a popular and successful school and serves a growing community in the Cowley area.

"It's great to see such a good school expanding to meet demand."