WORK has started on a multi-million-pound pound science centre at an Abingdon school.

The £4.2m facility will be built at the School of St Helen and St Katharine to provide a purpose-built environment for biology, physics and chemistry studies.

Building firm Beard, based at Cumnor Hill, has won the contract to construct 12 new laboratories along with preparation rooms and staff offices in a three-storey complex.

Headteacher Rowan Edbrooke said: “The new centre will not only benefit science teaching, the remaining laboratories will be converted and refurbished to provide additional classrooms and teaching space for other subjects.

“It will be a tremendous addition to our facilities and a real landmark in the school’s development.”

The new centre will be linked to the old school building by a three-storey glass atrium.

It will also be used for extra-curricular science activities, such as the British Council and the British Science Association Crest Awards projects.

Beard construction director John Youle said: “We’re delighted to be working with the school and sharing our experience of delivering specialist buildings for the education sector.”

Hi-tech facilities will include full wireless connectivity, multi-function device printing on each floor and screen projectors in each laboratory.

The project is due to be completed by September next year.