EDUCATION bosses have apologised after the opening of a new super school was delayed by one week.

Set-backs in the construction of the brand new Pendle Vale College site, in Oxford Road, Nelson, mean that over 1,000 students will now miss out on five days of teaching.

County Council officials said any work missed in what was supposed to be the first week at the Building Schools for the Future site will be fitted into the syllabus over the course of the year.

They added torrential rain has added to the difficulties faced by contractors, who have been working round the clock to try to finish the job on time.

Cabinet member for schools, County Coun Vali Patel, said: "We are very disappointed that, despite the contractors' efforts, the opening of Pendle Vale College and Pendle Vale Community High School and College has had to be delayed "However the safety of our children and young people is paramount and although the site is very near completion, we can't let the pupils in until we are absolutely sure the buildings are ready for them.”

He added: "I have every confidence that the pupils will soon be settled in their new schools and will be enjoying the fabulous new facilities they offer, but in the meantime I very much regret the inconvenience to both pupils and their parents.”

The state-of-the-art super school, on the old Walton High site, was due to open on Monday (September 8).

County Council officials and school governers have confirmed that it will not be ready until Monday September 15.

Chairman of governors at Pendle Vale and Pendle Council Leader John David, said: “The builders have done a splendid job and by and large they have kept to the programme, but in the end it has just beaten them.”

Head of Bovis Lend Lease for the North of the UK Tony Lenehan, blamed the delayed opening on ‘operational issues’ and the late arrival of ‘essential furniture and ICT equipment’.

Pupils from years seven and 11 will return to Pendle Vale on Monday September 15 with those from years eight, nine and ten joining them the following day.

Other Building Schools for the Future sites, including Shuttleworth College, Padiham and all those at the Burnley Campus will open on Monday September 8 as planned apart from Holly Grove special school, which has always been scheduled to open on Wednesday September 10.