SEN education officer for behaviour support Julie Spratt and centre manager Rob Gilroy look forward to the move from Granville House to The Link Centre. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0853307)

WITH less than three weeks to go before it opens, work on The Link Centre is speeding up.

On 2 November, the Oakvale School site will make the final transition into a centre for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties and pupils from Granville House will move there.

Contractors have been working over the summer to convert the building into a specialist centre that will support children aged five to 16 and their schools and families.

It has been divided in two for primary and secondary pupils and has an area for multi-agency and outreach workers.

Both areas now have a newly-installed kitchen, separate entrances have been created, and the classrooms have been given a fresh coat of paint.

The swimming pool and climbing wall are about to be revamped and most of the flooring has been replaced.

When it opens, students will be able to do art activities, grow their own plants in the outdoor areas and go kayaking in the pool.

Facilities such as the science and cooking room will again be used, and an area for Reception children has been developed, complete with a kitchen.