PUPILS from arson-hit Rogerstone Prim-ary in Newport could face another upheaval if they are moved to a second temporary home at Risca Comprehensive.

The move would involve splitting the Risca school across a broad age range and between two council areas.

But Newport council said the shift will stop the M4 coach commute by Rogerstone pupils to Westfield School in Malpas - a journey many parents fear is unsafe.

Newport cabinet agreed to explore the move to Risca Comprehensive, where they want to educate about 260 key stage 2 pupils.

Key stage one pupils in the nursery and reception classes would stay on the Rogerstone site in demountable classrooms.

Councillor John Pembridge, cabinet member for young people's services, said: "We are talking with Caerphilly council and the governors. They are looking at how they can reorganise Risca school to give us the maximum space."

He said negotiations were at an early stage and there was no clear indication of cost, or whether transport would be laid on. But he hoped the move could happen by Christmas.

Fire destroyed Rogerstone Primary in mid April and forced the pupils to move to empty Westfield School.

Police charged a 15-year-old with arson 11 days ago and Newport council is considering the £7m rebuild of the primary, which could be reopened in September 2005.

Dennis Toomer, chairman of governors at Risca Comprehensive, said: "We appreciate the problem faced by Rogerstone and would like to help. We could make spare capacity available but we cannot change classrooms about overnight.

"It would be wrong for us to make a decision without consulting our parents. There will be changes which could affect their children, but their education will not be disrupted.

"But because of the holidays there will be no talking now until September. "We will have to negotiate some sort of reimbursement for the extra heating, cleaning and catering."