The Governing Body of Lytchett Minster School has agreed to proceed with the scheme. A special team, led by a governor, is liaising with Dorset County Council on the project. Contractor Alfred McAlpine will start work on site in August, preparing the ground for the new teaching block and dining facilities.

Dorset County Council leader, Angus Campbell, said:

"I am extremely pleased that the governors are working closely with us to achieve this project. I am determined that this teaching block will be finished in the summer of 2008 and to meet that deadline we need to start work now.

"It's well-known that there has been a lot of debate about how the new block should look and what it should include. This design realistically balances the school's educational needs and the site's environmental interests. This is a major scheme to which we have allocated £12 million."

Ray Griffin, Chair of Governors at Lytchett Minster School, said:

"Our priority is and always has been the educational welfare of the pupils and staff at Lytchett Minster School. The governors are delighted that the project is now to proceed and look forward to working with Dorset County Council to deliver a first-class building."

Minister of State for Schools, Jim Knight MP, has been involved in recent discussions. He said:

"I am very happy that the county council and governors are moving forward with the project in the spirit of partnership. The staff and pupils deserve better buildings and all concerned now have the opportunity to work together to make Lytchett Minster a better place to learn."

The building is needed following a fire at the school in June 2000, which destroyed eight laboratories, a maths classroom, and the school hall. The school was already in the process of being redeveloped - the Manor House was refurbished in 1999 and the school hall was replaced as part of a new Creative Arts Block, completed in 2003.

The final building will provide a modern learning environment for science, maths and humanities including ten laboratories and new dining facilities. The last phase of the rebuilding project will be to remove the temporary village and convert the land into much-needed, extra playing fields.

Fred Drane, the local county councillor and a member of the school's governing body, said:

"This is very good news for Lytchett Minster School. Thanks to the efforts of all concerned we will soon have school buildings to be proud of."