A dramatic new building with a new public plaza has been revealed in the £15million plans to modernise a Poole school.

Ashdown Technology College in Canford Heath will be transformed by Balfour Beatty, who won an intensive bidding process to capture the contract.

There will be a new two-storey extension and the school’s science and technology specialisms will be reflected in the design.

It will be arranged around a ‘street’ to improve circulation and increase natural light, with a new public plaza connecting it to Adastral Road.

“I’m very pleased with the outcome and look forward to working closely with Balfour Beatty to deliver a fantastic school that will make a huge difference to the educational experience of our students,” said head teacher Liz Jones.

There will be a new social hub at its heart and the low energy buildings will have photovoltaic panels to meet much of the school’s energy demands.

“This is a very exciting time for the school and the community,” said Councillor Janet Walton, cabinet portfolio holder for children’s services, Borough of Poole.

“The dramatically improved learning environment will hopefully lead to improved attendance and attainment levels.”

The school, built in the late 1980s, was lucky to receive its Building Schools for the Future funding, as a sample school it escaped the axing of the scheme last July.

Balfour Beatty has extensive experience of school design and construction and work is due to start in late July and be completed by September 2013, to enable the school to accommodate an additional year group as a result of the change in the age of transfer.

“We are delighted to have been selected to construct this scheme and look forward to delivering a first class teaching facility that will benefit both student and teachers,” said Bob Clark, managing director of Balfour Beatty Construction Scottish and Southern.

A drop-in information event is being held at the school on Wednesday, February 16 between 2pm and 8pm where the plans will be on display.