WORK is on schedule to start next year on a £16 million replacement Keighley secondary school.

Oakbank's new state-of-the-art facilities will be constructed at the site of the existing school, in Oakworth Road.

Tenders to carry out the massive project are currently being considered, and the contract will be awarded next month.

A six-week public consultation will be held, to get the views of local organisations and the community on the plans.

The scheme has been approved through the government's Priority School Building Programme (PSBP), which uses private funding.

But as part of the initiative Oakbank also needs to raise funds to further enhance its sports facilities, which it plans to do by selling for redevelopment an area of scrubland on the school site.

The new school will be based on a standard PSBP design, but with individual tweaks and variations to suit the specific site.

Teaching spaces wrap around a central hall, dining and drama zone.

Headteacher David Maxwell said: "It is really exciting that we are moving closer to getting a new school, which will be a wonderful addition to the local community and to Keighley.

"There has been a series of additions over the years to the existing building, and although it is in relatively good condition, it's 'tired'."

Part of the current structure, which caters for 1,600 pupils, is Victorian, but the main section dates from the early 1960s.

"The new building will give us better facilities and more space with improved ITC and sports provision," added Mr Maxwell.

"We are really keen to ensure the sports facilities we have in school are to a very high standard, as these will not only be used by students at Oakbank but will be utilised by local primary schools and the community in Keighley."

The new building will be constructed alongside the current one, to allow a straight transition.

Anyone with queries about the scheme can contact the school on office@oakbank.org.uk or 01535 210111.