Work is underway on building Swale’s first free school for children with learning difficulties.

When the £10m construction project is completed, the Aspire School off Vellum Drive, Sonora Fields, will be available for pupils with special educational needs.

If all goes to plan, youngsters will start to take their seats in the classrooms next September.

Executive head teacher, Céranne Litton, said: “The team has now started building and there’s a frame that’s going up so it is really starting to take shape.

"We did the initial dig in July and since then, and until recently, workers have been getting the foundations ready.

“The foundations and the actual footprint is more evident, in terms of how the building is going to sit on the site.”

It is hoped the school, which will be run in partnership with Grove Park Primary School in Hilton Drive, will be officially handed over next June.

"The foundations and the actual footprint is more evident..." Céranne Litton

In the first year, 32 children will join Year 1, growing to its full capacity of 168 pupils who will be taught in 21 classrooms.

A head teacher is set to be appointed in January and will initially help with setting up the premises and holding parent information sessions.

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