ABINGDON: The £4.2m contract to build a state-of-the-art science centre at a private school has been awarded.

Construction company Beard, based in Cumnor Hill, will build the centre for St Helen and St Katharine School in Faringdon Road.

The high-tech, three-storey complex will include 12 new laboratories, four each for biology, chemistry and physics, three subject-specific prep rooms and three staff offices.

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

The building is due to open in September.

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