The Department for Education has appointed a contractor to deliver a new special free school in Sheffield.

Interserve will design and build the new £5.6m Discovery Special Academy, representing the ninth school build project the firm has secured this year.

The 80-place school will provide education and support for children with autism spectrum disorder and social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs. Nexus Multi Academy Trust will run the facility.

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The contractor will demolish the former Norfolk Park School and the construction of the new single-storey, part dual-storey school building, including a multi-use games area.

Paul Ellenor, Regional Director at Interserve Construction, said: "The UK education sector is a key strategic sector for Interserve and we are delighted to have been chosen to deliver the Discovery Academy project for the Department of Education, building on our strong education portfolio within the Yorkshire region.

"At Interserve we are committed to investing in the communities in which we live, and work and we will look to maximise local supply chain involvement as well as creating new jobs for local people."

Construction work will commence in February 2020 with the new building scheduled for completion for the start of the 2021/22 academic year.

(CM/JG)