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Willmott Dixon has been appointed main contractor for the £19.1m special school in Tilehurst, Reading. The new building, situated on the ground floor of a new building next to the Meadway Sports Centre, will house students with special needs from the Avenue School.

Lead councillor for education and lifelong learning Jon Hartley, said: "The new school will provide much needed modern facilities for children with profound and multiple learning difficulties and on the autistic spectrum. The building will also provide a base for our learning support service, which works with mainstream schools to support children with moderate learning difficulties."

Designed by architect Hunter and Partners, the building has been carefully planned so that children have maximum access to all the new school's specialist facilities, including a performance space, multi-sensory rooms, soft-play area and a hydrotherapy pool.

Plans were unveiled in March and planning permission granted in May. Work is already underway.