A group of young children inspect the building works closely supervised by (back, left to right) Head Teacher Debra Cannings, Watson & Cox's site foreman Steve Connolly and GSS's James Webster.

Building work has started in Luton on a £700,000 project which will result in the amalgamation of an infant's school and junior school to become St Matthew's Primary School. The project, in Wenlock Street, has been designed for Luton Borough Council by GSS Architecture.

GSS team leader James Webster explained, "The project will provide improved facilities for both the children and the teachers. There'll be a number of internal alterations as well as extensions to the two existing buildings, creating larger classrooms and a larger main hall together with better toilet facilities. Some other classrooms will be changed from open plan to single rooms. There will also be improved staff facilities and more office space."

"External works will include a new covered walkway between the two buildings, and a new car park," said James. "There'll be a new entrance in Havelock Road, while the old entrance will be used for goods deliveries. A new landscaped courtyard will help to unify the two buildings and provide a safe waiting area for parents. The greatest possible care will be taken by the main contractors, Watson and Cox Construction Limited, to ensure the safety of all children and staff throughout the project."

One interesting design feature will be that the new car park will outline the footprint of the original Victorian school, demolished long ago, by using two different coloured asphalt surfaces.

Head Teacher Debra Cannings said, "At St Matthew's Primary school we believe the adults and children deserve to work in a beautiful environment. This building project will turn many of our dreams into a reality. We are pleased to be working with GSS and Watson and Cox and eagerly anticipate the completion of the work so that the staff and pupils can begin to use our new facilities."

Building work is scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the next Autumn term. GSS, which is responsible for the overall management of the project, has previously worked at over a dozen other schools in the town. It was also responsible for the town's e-Learning Centre which acts as a central computer hub for Luton's secondary schools.