The project will bring together the two schools under one roof and provide state-of-the-art education and sports facilities. Externally new car parking, play areas, a multi-use games areas and segregated pedestrian entrance will be developed. 

Work begins later this month, with the first pupils moving into the school in September 2011.  The work is scheduled to be fully completed in November 2011.  

The new 3200m2 school has been designed to achieve BREEAM Very Good status and environmental features include an innovative E-stack passive vent system, biomass boiler, and rainwater harvesting. Once complete, the school will accommodate 630 pupils and 39 FTE foundation stage students.  

Allan McDougall, Shepherd Construction’s chief executive commented: “We’re looking forward to starting on-site and delivering these modern learning facilities. This latest project goes further to underline Shepherd’s role in the City’s modernisation of its educational facilities, having recently completed construction of Goodricke College and our current refurbishment work on the J B Morrell library at York University.”  

Maggie Tansley, Head of Planning and Resources, City of York Council said: "The new school will be one of two new primary school buildings in York funded by the Primary Capital Programme  and the City of York Council. It provides a fantastic opportunity for the two federated schools to come together on one site, with the design of the school focusing on delivering education in the 21st century." 

Chris Wigley, headteacher at Clifton with Rawcliffe School added:  “The need for a through primary school on one site has been recognised in the area for decades. It is, therefore, hard to believe that this building will be a reality in little over a year’s time. Understandably it is the cause of great excitement for all concerned. The demands on the Primary education system will undoubtedly change radically during this century: this building has been designed to accommodate such change and will continue to provide the children in the Clifton and Rawcliffe wards with a wonderful learning environment for generations to come.”