YEARS of building work at schools across Blackburn is coming to an end.

Work at St Bede’s is entering the final phase under the Building Schools for the Future scheme this summer.

It is not clear whether all building work will be completed by the start of next term but the school is expected to open as normal.

The only work remaining at the Green Lane school is some demolition, but Blackburn with Darwen Council said this last phase would not affect the school opening.

In September last year St Bede’s moved into its modern home, leaving the old buildings on the adjacent street. Pupils have been enjoying new IT suites, science labs and dining facilities while demolition goes on elsewhere.

It was one of eight high schools to open new buildings under the multi-million pound Building Schools for the Future — or BSF programme.

Blackburn with Darwen schools boss Coun Dave Harling said the final phase at St Bede’s marked the end of an epic era of change for local schools.

He said: “We are now pretty close to the end with just some final works to be carried out this year. St Bede’s is the last major project.

“BSF involves private finance initiatives, so there will be ongoing maintenance and communication with Balfour Beatty about these schools for 25 years. We were lucky in our bid to enter BSF. It’s hard to picture the town without these amazing schools in place now.

“St Bede’s has really benefited from some new buildings, but has also experienced a few years of the school being a building site. BSF is disruptive — Our Lady and St John’s had a lot of upheaval — but the new facilities are fantastic.”