Work is so very special!

THESE pictures show that work is well under way on building a new special school in Newsome.

The building of Castle Hill School on Newsome Road South began on June 6.

Contractors Wates Construction took over the project on that date after previous firm Totty stopped work.

Now, steel fencing has surrounded the site and workmen can be seen busily laying pipes and foundations.

Work was delayed at the start of the project because Kirklees Council had to renegotiate the contract when the original company, Jarvis, hit cash trouble.

The school, which will replace two existing special schools - Highfields at Edgerton and Turnshaws at Kirkburton - was supposed to be ready for September.

But it will not now be complete until next year. Clr Geoff Alvy, Kirklees Council's Cabinet member for children's services, said the wait would be worthwhile.

He added: "It will be a wonderful building, full of up-to-the minute facilities for these very special children."

Castle Hill School is part of a £25m programme to be paid for under the Government's Private Finance Initiative.

The programme will see three state-of-the-art special schools created in Kirklees. These are Castle Hill, Fairfield School at Heckmondwike and Ravenshall School in Dewsbury.

While Castle Hill School and Fairfield School involve new builds, Ravenshall will undergo significant works to re-shape and extend it.

There are also plans to improve Longley School and Lydgate School, New Mill.