WORK is moving forward steadily at the new multi-million pound primary school in west York.

This is the new Our Lady Queen of Martyrs RC School building, which is fast taking shape in Hamilton Drive, Holgate.

The new school will see two schools, Our Lady’s RC, in Windsor Garth, and English Martyrs RC, in Hamilton Drive, brought together under one roof.

Both schools were built more than 50 years ago, and are now considered too small.

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

Facilities at the new school will include a sensory garden, separate entrances for pupils and visitors and space for 90 bikes. The school will also 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 there in 2012.

“There’s a viewing point so that the children get to see the development as it goes up and you can really get a feel for the size and shape of the building now.

“This will be a great place for students to learn and enthuse and inspire the community of Our Lady’s and English Martyrs.”

Mr Sutherland said that there had been a lot of work taking place to prepare the two schools to come together next year.

He said: “We’re doing a lot of activities to get to know each other so that when we move in there is a smooth transition.

“As part of this we are having a joint sports day this Friday and a joint York Mini Mysteries event on June 24 with a range of performances all day involving all year groups and their parents held at both schools and Our Lady’s and English Martyrs churches.”