Ambitious plans for a £9.5 million co-location, signalling the new build of a school on site of Colebourne Primary School in Hodge Hill, accommodating existing pupils and those from Beaufort Special School in Stechford begins on Friday

The start of the construction follows Cabinet approval on July 30 to award the construction contract to build the brand new school.

The contract will be delivered by GF Tomlinson Birmingham Ltd through Birmingham Construction Partnership, and following completion of enabling works, the building project will now begin.

Cllr Les Lawrence, cabinet member for Children, Young People and Families, who is set to attend the start of the constriction, said: "The move to co-locate Beaufort Special School is taking forward Colebourne Primary’s longstand collaborating with special educational needs networks and enables the construction of a state of the art school.

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"Making sure we are providing 21st century teaching and learning facilities that are inclusive to the needs of all pupils is extremely important. Both schools will retain their identities, and the inclusive environment will be stimulating and inspiring to children and adults alike giving pupils the best opportunity to make a positive contribution."

Dave Kelly, partnership manager for GF Tomlinson, said: "We have been involved with this scheme for almost three years and have faced many challenges throughout this period. The team has worked tirelessly to conclude planning and design issues in order to meet the highest standards possible, whilst not exceeding the budgets.

"We are absolutely delighted that the project has finally moved in to the construction phase and we look forward to concluding the main build planned for February 2009 when the children and staff from both Colebourne and Beaufort will have the chance to use what will be one of the best education facilities of its type in the country."

The new school building will be based on Stechford Road in Hodge Hill, catering for mainstream pupils and pupils with special educational needs. The full business case to co-locate Beaufort Special School onto the Colebourne School site and the construction of a new building to accommodate pupils from both schools was approved by Cabinet in June 2006.

(JM)