A £6.9MILLION vision is starting to become a reality for a secondary school's staff and students.

Work is now well underway on the expansion of Stanway School and the rewards are already paying off.

The first stage, the creation of a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), is already complete and before long the bulldozers will be in to demolish the outdated Gainsborough block.

Jonathan Bland, co-head teacher, said: "The MUGA is up and running and students are using it for PE lessons, at break and lunch and after school.

"When the flood lights come we can use it more into the evenings too and hopefully we will have a grand opening.

"It is very exciting and we are really pleased."

The second stage, an extension, is also continuing at stealth.

This will see the creation of new science laboratories and design and technology rooms plus there will be a new food outlet area and courtyard area with a roof and a glass front.

Mr Bland said: "The foundations are down, the steels are in and the brickwork needs to go up. It is due to be finished by July."

The demolition of the Gainsborough block, which is more than 50 years old and considered unfit for modern educational purposes, is the third and final stage of the project.

It is set to be replaced with a new arts and music block.

Demolition work is due to start over the February half term break this week and the building is due to be completely gone by Easter.

Mr Bland said: "It is going to be picked to pieces very slowly and carefully and demolition is due to finish before the year 11s start their GCSE exams in May.

"Work on the new block starts after their exams."

The three-stage project started late last year and is being funded by Essex County Council which has identified a need to create extra school spaces in Colchester.

The school, which opened about 60 years ago, has about 1,160 students and will take an extra 60 a year from September.