A MULTI-MILLION pound rebuild of a school in Yate is getting close to completion much to the excitement of staff and pupils.

Wellesley Primary School is to swap its current run-down school buildings for a £2.5 million pound school this summer following more than a year's construction work.

The new school, built on the playing field, will have larger classrooms, a dedicated library and a modern ICT suite.

It will also be the first school in South Gloucestershire to use a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) to heat the school.

The pump works by making use of renewable energy stored in the ground, providing one of the most energy-efficient ways of heating buildings.

Deputy head teacher Heather Small told the Gazette it was an exciting time for everybody involved.

She said: "We managed to attain the funding when an Ofsted report back in 2002 said the rooms were too cramped for the 210 pupils we have here.

"The current school buildings are 27-years-old and its structure was not build to last.

"With classrooms restricted and teaching spaces limited we were desperate for a new school.

"There was also concern over the safety of pupils after it had become a target of vandals who climbed on the roof.

"Ever since we got the cash injection from the council and building started everyone has been getting excited.

"Now the building is looking great and we can't wait to get inside."

Over the summer holiday equipment will be moved to the new building which will then be opened to pupils in time for the new term.

The existing school will be demolished and brand new playing field made on the site.