WORK has started on a new multi-million pound school for pupils with special educational needs in Hereford, but it means the former Broadlands Primary School has been flattened to make way.

Over the years thousands of children would have been educated at the school in Prospect Walk, just off Whittern Way near the colleges.

Some 15 years ago the 400 pupils at the school marked the opening of an outdoor classroom with a difference.

All pupils would make use of the classroom, named in memory of former chairman of Governors David Short, who died in November 2003.

Children and volunteers did most of the work on the sensory garden with some professional help.

“The plants have been chosen for their colours, textures, shapes and smell,” Felicity Weeks, Echo co-ordinator and a science teacher at the school, said at the time in 2005.

“We have also selected plants that will mean that there are flowers and colour in the garden for most of the year. As time goes on there will be more planting.

“The area is proving popular and is already almost fully ‘booked’ for lessons.”

Final bills were still coming in in March 2005 when the Hereford Times reported on the classroom, but the cost of the memorial garden was expected to be up to £8,000.

As well as Felicity Weeks, members of the new We Grew Up In Hereford Facebook group have been remembering their former teachers at the school, which moved to new premises in September 2015.

John Marshall said in the group that Mr Bryon Mages was a wonderful headteacher.

He said he had the pleasure of being the chairman of the parent-teacher association at the time.

He also remembered doing the “fantastic” firework displays every year in the 1990s.

Alli Bray also remembers always trying to do her best so she could go and see headteacher Mr Mages and get a Fruit Salad or Black Jack.

Mr Mages first started work at Broadlands in 1971, moving from Holmer to become deputy headteacher.

After a brief spell away from the school, he then returned as headteacher at the end of the 1970s and stayed in post until he retired in 1995.

Demolition of the old site is now underway to make way for the £8 million Beacon College.

Operated by Barrs Court School Academy Trust, the academy will be a special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) school.