THE rebuild of Wimborne First School has started, more than six months after permission for the development was given.

School head Sarah Hartley performed the official ‘ground breaking’ for the new site.

The existing school, which lies in the town centre, has a capacity for 300 children. There is limited potential for future expansion.

The new school is being developed by Dorset County Council with contractor Galliford Try as part of Bloor Homes housing development Wimborne Chase. It will be based around half a mile from the town centre.

It will be able to accommodate 450 pupils, which the council says will help meet the needs of proposed housing developments in the area.

Councillor Daryl Turner, county council cabinet member for the natural and built environment, said: “The newly built replacement school will offer the facilities for a modern educational environment.”

Mrs Hartley said: “I had the privilege of ‘breaking the ground’ on the site for our new school.

“It was a very exciting moment for everyone involved.

“We are currently planning a series of events to celebrate our move from the existing site into the new school.

“Our current school holds many memories for a lot of people in the local community and we want to make sure we celebrate with the children all the amazing times we have had.

“We will then be moving into the most fabulous school with state of the art facilities and lots of space.

“We have many plans for the children, parents, staff and members of the local community to get involved.

“Our first step is to take a group of children up to the building site, so they can report back to their classes on the latest developments. It’s wonderful to think of the exciting times we have ahead.”

The current first school will be relocating from its current premises in School Lane to the new premises when it is completed next year.

The scheme includes a school hall, meeting rooms, a playing field, games courts and a soft play area.