HEREFORD Academy principal John Sheppard conducted a special preview of the school’s brand new £21.2 million site.

Mr Sheppard showed visitors what pupils could expect from the two-storey building – which includes a sports hall, dining room, activity studio and atrium – ahead of its official handover this July.

Primary school headteachers, charity staff and Mandy Evans from the South Wye Regeneration Partnership saw first hand the work to accommodate 1,120 youngsters, which began in autumn 2009.

“This was an opportunity to have a really good look at what’s been achieved so far and we were delighted to be able to show people the progress that has been made, and to such a high standard,” Mr Sheppard said.

Donations of £500 each also went to the National Autistic Society and Breast Cancer Haven after developer Willmott Dixon held a charity golf day in Belmont.

Staff and students will move into the new build in September, before the demolition of existing buildings and completion of various sports pitches and external works comes in spring 2012.

“It’s fantastic to be in a position where we know that, in September, we will have a new school,” Mr Sheppard added.