the National Sports Club's Devonshire site.

The school's future had been up in the air after the National Trust rejected a bid to expand its current base in Warwick.

Now Montessori is planning to up its intake to 300 from a current school roll of 137 while expanding the age range after making the move to Middle Road in September 2001 when its current lease runs out.

However it's understood the school must come up with the cash within two months for the sale to go ahead while planners must also give their blessing.

Head teacher Margaret Hallett was reluctant to talk about the planned deal for the six-acre site.

She said: "We can't confirm anything if there isn't a purchase agreement, that's a key ingredient.

"We hope to have some clear ideas of where we're going shortly.'' In a newsletter Montessori Educational Trust Chairman William Wanklyn told parents: "We expect a purchase agreement to be signed in the coming weeks.

"We have also received a very promising proposal to finance the purchase which we are evaluating.'' He went on: "The Devonshire site meets our goal of providing a school in a central location and is of sufficient size to allow for adequate development of playgrounds, additional buildings and parking.

"The building will require renovations, but is large enough for our initial expansion plans.

"The site will allow us to provide improved expanded facilities, increase our student body to 300 students over the next several years and implement in stages a Middle Years Program for students ages 11-16 based on the curriculum of the renowned International Baccalaureate Organisation.

"The board is confident with your support our dreams will become a reality by September 2001.'' National Sports Club President Donald MacPherson said he was sad the club had been forced to sell up due to dwindling interest.

School moving to Middle Road He said: "It was put out to tender and Montessori's was the only serious bid we had. We are quite pleased that if we have to lose the building that it would be to an entity such as Montessori school because it's doing something for the community.

"We didn't want it to go to a commercial venture.

The National Sports Club playing fields are the only venue for rugby and hockey, as well as being the site of the Rugby Classic.

However it's thought the school is likely to let the games continue on the site.