THE £4.6million development of a new Mill Green School will help provide “seamless special needs” education in St Helens, it is claimed.

Work on the school in Parr is progressing well and was witnessed by St Helens Council leader Barrie Grunewald this week.

The school, currently based in Newton-le-Willows, will relocate to across the road from, along with Lansbury Bridge, the other school for children with special educational needs.

Once the new school opens for the start of the next academic year in September, there are plans to share facilities between the schools.

And there are plans to create a seamless special needs provision in St Helens, with younger students to attend Lansbury Bridge while the older children will go to Mill Green.

After making a visit to check on progress, Cllr Grunewald said: “The new school will enhance our special needs offer in the borough - adding to our mix of schools catering for all needs.

“Better learning environments are crucial to plans to boost education standards - and the new Mill Green School will be a shining example of our commitment to that goal.”

Company Willmott Dixon, who won the £4.6m contract to build the school, are working with architect Aedas, M&E consultants Beverley Clifton Morris and engineers Mott MacDonald, and will complete the on-site work by August.

Mill Green headteacher, Colin Myers, added: “Everyone at the school is really excited about the project.

“We’re organising site visits for the students to come and see how work is progressing. We’re sorry to be leaving Newton after so many years, but looking forward to becoming part of the Parr community.”