ONE of the county's biggest schools will be brand new by 2005.

The Government gave the go-ahead to a £14 million move for Hereford's Whitecross High this week - at the third time of asking.

The school, with about 830 pupils on the roll, has long been recognised as having outgrown its present home, but two previous attempts at moving have been turned down. Then, as now, Three Elms was a likely destination - subject to planning permission.

Confirmation of success for the latest submission came on Monday. It will be a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) with the chosen contractor constructing the school and providing services such as cleaning, caretaking and grounds maintenance under a 25-year agreement.

For Whitecross head Denise Strutt the move means a major boost to staff and student morale as the school emerges out of a difficult recent past.

"Everyone is thrilled at the news. We have worked so hard to improve the standards of teaching and learning.

"Personally it's like a dream come true - to be involved in designing a school from scratch is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

As envisaged, the new Whitecross will be big enough to take 900 pupils and serve the surrounding community as a childcare and adult learning centre.

The existing school, laid out off Baggally Street according to criteria from another era, doesn't, and some say can't, conform to current, or projected future, demand.

A £5 million building replacement was considered, and widely acknowledged as far from ideal. Questions over cost meant the answers to accommodation issues lay elsewhere.

Baggally Street will be operational until August 2005, when pupils will transfer to the new school. The old site will be available for 'alternative use' though the playing fields are expected to remain a recreational amenity.

The re-location bid was submitted by Herefordshire Council having secured cabinet support in December.

Don Rule, cabinet councillor for education, spoke of 'delight' at its approval.

"At last the efforts of the school and the council to provide proper accommodation have been rewarded."