A YORK MP has checked progress on a £5.75 million new school project at first hand.

Hugh Bayley, the Labour MP for York Central, visited staff and pupils at English Martyrs’ RC Primary School yesterday.

The venture will bring together two primary schools – Our Lady’s, in Windsor Garth, and English Martyrs, in Hamilton Drive – to form a new place of learning, Our Lady Queen Of Martyrs.

Both the existing schools were built more than 50 years ago, and are now considered too small for the needs of their pupils. Some fixtures from the schools will be incorporated in the new building.

Mr Bayley’s visit comes after the Right Rev Terence Patrick Drainey, Bishop of Middlesbrough, got construction work under way at the site last month.

Mr Bayley said: “The new school will have fantastic facilities, including a sensory garden, separate entrances for pupils and visitors and space for 90 bikes.

“I am pleased the school will retain the playing fields and there will be a landscaped area so that pupils can have lessons outside in the summer.”

Derek Sutherland, head teacher for Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, said: “We are very excited at seeing the new school being built. The plans look fantastic and we can’t wait to move in 2012. This will be a great place for students to learn and enthuse and inspire the community of Our Lady’s and English Martyr’s.”

Bishop Drainey said: “The children, parents and staff who have waited, worked, and hoped for a new school for many years are delighted, as I am also, that at long last we are in sight of the fulfilment of our hopes.”

The new school, which will hold 420 primary schoolchildren and 52 nursery children, will cost £5.75 million. It is expected to open in January next year.