Northamptonshire County Council has sealed a contract to provide a new home for Greenfields School and Sports College, at the former Woodvale Primary site in Harborough Road, Kingsthorpe.

The project, part of the county council's Private Finance Initiative school-building scheme, will cost about £10m and would open next autumn.

Joan Kirkbride (Con, Bugbrooke), the council's cabinet member for children, said: "This will be a wonderful development, which will offer first-class learning facilities to children.

"We are extremely encouraged by the work starting so soon after the contract was signed, so pupils will soon begin to feel the benefits."

Greenfields headteacher Jean Moralee added: "We are delighted and excited about the prospect of a new school which will enhance curriculum opportunities for the pupils.

"The students are involved with planning, particularly the outside space and are working enthusiastically to suggest designs."