PREPARATIONS for a new £4 million Offmore Primary School in Kidderminster are under way with the demolition of the old buildings.

Building contractor Speller Metcalfe says it working closely with the school and Worcestershire County Council to ensure any disruption is kept to the minimum.

School pupils and teaching staff are being housed in temporary accommodation, situated alongside the site of the old school.

Demolition is set for completion by the beginning of April, with building works commencing during the Easter break and scheduled to finish by March 2012.

Steve Harker, Speller Metcalfe contracts manager, said: "All pupils and staff moved in to the new temporary school in advance of the perimeter fencing being erected mid-January allowing demolition works to commence.

“We are now looking forward to starting the main works in April and working alongside the county council and the school."

The new school will include additional teaching rooms, a new nursery, library and IT areas, toilets and extended outdoor play areas with access and the use of a playing field, allotment garden and planted borders.

Also, eco-friendly facilities include a biomass boiler, providing the school with a reliable source of heat, linked with natural ventilation systems and a green roof.

Liberal Wyre Forest district and county councillor, Fran Oborski, said: "I am absolutely delighted to see it all get started."

The removal of the temporary school and the reinstatement of the playing fields is due to be complete by the end of June 2012.