WORK on a £23million catholic school in Rhyl is progressing on schedule.

The steel frame of Christ the Word, which will house 420 full time pupils aged three to 11 and 500 pupils aged 11 to 16, is nearing completion.

A beam signing ceremony was held with pupils and staff from Ysgol Mair primary school and Blessed Edward Jones Catholic High School. These beams will form part of the structure.

The new building, which will replace the two schools, is set to open in autumn 2019. It is funded in partnership by Denbighshire County Council and the Welsh Government through its 21st Century Schools Programme.

Cllr Huw Hilditch-Roberts, cabinet lead member for Education, Children and Young People, said: "It is great to see work progressing on this exciting project which will provide a first-class facility for faith-based education in Denbighshire.

"Pupils and staff enjoyed the chance to get involved in the beam signing and they are looking forward to seeing the work progress over the coming months.

"This is part of a £90m capital programme that has seen huge investment in the county’s education which will enable a better education environment for our children, a priority for us under our Corporate Plan.”

The name has been chosen to centre the school on Christ and highlight the scripture – “In the beginning was the Word.. All creation came to be through Him.”

The Bishop of Wrexham, the Rt Rev Peter M Brignall, read more than 120 submitted ideas for the school name, but decided to go for another option - Christ the Word.

Kier Construction has been appointed as the main contractor for the development, which will be delivered for the Diocese of Wrexham.

Bob Adams, operations director at Kier, said: “The project is off to a fantastic start and we’re really pleased with progress to date. Roofing work has now commenced, the external envelope works will start next week and we anticipate the building being watertight by Christmas.

“We have also developed strong links with Rhyl College and will be facilitating 10 on site work placements for brickwork students, to give them valuable practical experience."

The structural steelwork is nearing completion and the external panelling work is expected to be completed by Christmas. Internal works will start in the New Year.