A major Bradford secondary school extension is to built in double quick time - but at a factory more than 30 miles away in York.

The 26-classroom, two-storey building for Baildon's Salts Grammar School will be assembled indoors on a production line, like a giant Mecanno set.

Contractors Yorkon will then transport it, module by module, on lorries to Baildon. Once on site they will be put up within days.

Yorkon's market planning manager, Mike Sherwood, said the steel-framed modular method would cut down on time by more than half.

"Because we build it in our factory in York in controlled conditions the process cannot be delayed by the weather and disruption to the local community is minimised," he said.

"The attraction of it to Bradford education authority and the school is because of the time scale of the reorganisation. This means they can have the school ready for September."

Headteacher Trina Hagerty welcomed the development, and said if all went to plan it would be a "considerable achievement".

"We are delighted that this exciting project has been given the go-ahead," she said.

"It is a major investment in the school which will create a modern, purpose-designed facility of the very highest standards, ensuring the best possible education for local children."

Bulldozers only moved on to the site to prepare foundations at the beginning of the month but the extension is expected to be ready for lessons in the new school year.

It has been selected as one of a small fast-track group of projects, forming part of Bradford Council's vast £171 million schools' reorganisation building programme.

The building will extend Salt's permanent capacity by 700 to 1500. Replacing four temporary classrooms - used for 27 years - it will also provide room for an extra 500 students as the school converts from an upper to an 11-18 secondary school.

The school has had a big input into the new building's design which will feature:

lScience laboratories, art rooms and an information technology suite.

lAn impressive new entrance and reception for the school.

lA first-floor footbridge to link it with the existing buildings.

lLarge picture windows and a new play area.

The school's site and finance manager, Philip Crotty, said: "We are absolutely delighted. We will have a school building with vastly improved facilities.

"We are delighted with the contractors we have got on board and have a good relationship with them. We believe that standards will be even better as a result of this new building."

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