PARENTS welcomed proposals to bring a primary school together onto one single site and open a new Welsh school.

Since it opened Griffithstown Primary’s classes take place on the original infant and junior schools it was formed from in 2007.

But next week Torfaen council’s cabinet will decide whether to bring all classes onto the former junior school site.

At least 401 English and Welsh-medium pupils in Torfaen could be affected.

The council will also establish a new Welsh medium school on the vacated infant school.

It is estimated 356 pupils will attend the merged school when it opens, if approved, in September 2010.

It currently teaches 351 and only has a combined capacity for 335.

The junior site, which only has capacity for 195 pupils, would be remodeled to accommodate 420, with 52 additional nursery places.

Meanwhile the infant school will be relaunched as a Welsh-medium primary, catering for the 22 pupils from mid-Torfaen that travel to other Welsh schools.

33 from the Trevethin area are also expected to attend, with the school having a total capacity of around 140.

Torfaen's other Welsh-primaries will be over-subscribed in 2010.

The report to council said the school did not make the savings expected of bringing Griffithstown Junior and Infants together in 2007.

Joanne Phillips, 31, whose son Owen, five, attends the school, said it would be a good step.

Her two-year-old daughter Evie is due to start nursery next year - the same time Owen moves to the junior school.

She added: "It will be easier for them to be in the same school, they will be used to it and won’t have to change over."

Headteacher Debbie Ward said it would be a positive move and that it was difficult to establish a primary school atmosphere on two different sites.

"At the moment children are almost starting afresh in year three, when they have already their relationships and expectations in the infants site," she said.

The council said figures for the cost of the new school are unavailable at present, while the cost of setting up a Welsh Medium school will be "minimal".

If approved at cabinet on June 23 the changes will take effect in September 2010.