THIS is the first glimpse of the £4 million building which could replace 30-year-old crumbling classrooms at Huntington School in York.

This artist's impression shows what the building could look like when it is completed in just over two years' time.

The new facility will be attached to the main school building and constructed on the site of the present youth club. As well as new youth club facilities it will also include a dance and drama studio, facilities for adult education and recording studio.

Head teacher Chris Bridge said: "I am really pleased that at last a very good school will have very good buildings.

"I feel we have been selling our students short for years."

The school has fought a long battle to get the rid of the mobile classrooms which are more than 30 years old and are quickly deteriorating.

After failing in a bid for £1.5 million of government funding, the school managed to secure £2.5m from City of York Council.

Mr Bridge said the money from the local education authority would fund a very basic building for the school, but they wanted to do more. The school is now embarking on a massive fundraising drive to raise almost £1m to go towards the costs.

The new building will not only provide better facilities for the pupils, but also for those who use the current youth club.

Within the youth club there will also be a caf, a pool table, Connexions office, as well as a sound-proofed room that can be used for examinations.

Mr Bridge said: "What we are creating is a brand new youth club which is accessible through the sports hall.

"This means when parents send their children to the youth club there will be more to do and a safer environment."

The building will also be used for community education in the evenings and theatre groups at the weekend.

The mobile classrooms, which are presently situated at the back of the school, will be replaced by parking and areas for pupils to use at break times.

It is hoped the project will be completed by September 2005.

Updated: 10:55 Monday, May 12, 2003