Work is starting on the new Notre Dame Catholic College - the first of 12 schools to be built in Liverpool as part of a major investment programme.

The scheme is part of the newly elected Mayor's Investment Plan for Secondary Schools, devised as a rescue package following the scrapping of Wave Six of Liverpool’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.

Work is starting following Cabinet approval for the scheme, subject to the formal awarding of the £15 million contract.

The council has struck a deal that means at least 50 percent of the project budget must be spent with firms in Liverpool to ensure local people benefit, and at least 70 percent going to companies across Merseyside. Dozens of local apprentices will also be employed.

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The school is being built on a site adjacent to Everton Park Lifestyles Centre on the edge of the Project Jennifer regeneration scheme, and the school will use the sports facilities at the site.

Mayor Joe Anderson said: "This is a landmark moment for education in Liverpool as we see the spade going in the ground on the first of the schools which form part of an investment programme which I have pledged to deliver.

"Improving education and giving our young people the best start in life is one of my priorities and I am determined that we also make sure the project benefits local firms and their workforce as well.

"Our proposals are built around delivering educational excellence and improving the City’s economic prosperity so that the schools truly help regenerate an area."

Over the last few months, officials have met with local businesses to explain how they can become part of the supply chain for the new school.

Councillor Jane Corbett, Cabinet member for education, said: "This is part of our ambition to make sure that new schools are closely tied to the city's regeneration and help build stronger communities, so that they are literally made in Liverpool.

"This is a hugely exciting time for North Liverpool and the scheme forms part of Project Jennifer around Great Homer Street and our plans to regenerate Everton Park."

The school is set to be completed in summer 2013.

(CD)