WORK has begun on new facilities at a school to help young people with special needs lead more independent lives.

The ground-breaking new teaching space is being built at the Pioneer School, in Ghyllgrove, Basildon, thanks to £2.5m funding from Essex County Council through the Building Schools for the Future Programme.

The extension, being built on to the side of the existing school building, should be complete by August 2011, and will be at the cutting edge of special needs learning for youngsters aged from three to 19.

It will include an enterprise zone, where students can sell produce they have made or grown and learn about business.

An innovative food technology area is being built with four kitchens linked by camera to a central kitchen where cooking demonstrations are carried out.

There is also a living area designed as a small flat with a kitchen and bathroom to teach students about how to live on their own.

Students will also be introduced to new technology, including notebook computers and iPods, to improve their communication and media skills.

And the new facility will also have special rooms for design and technology, music and drama.

Staff, students and local politicians watched as the school’s headteacher, Steve Horsted, dug the first turf to mark the start of the unit’s construction.

Mr Horsted said: “We are very grateful for the support we have received from Essex County Council.

“This has enabled us not only to build on the fabulous school we already have, but has also enabled us to be part of the programme to provide yet further specialist facilities.”

The Pioneer School moved into its new building on the current site in January 2009. The old school was based in Church Road, Basildon.

John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay, who was at the ceremony, said: “These extra facilities will help students to better prepare for an independent life once they leave school and are best located in familiar surroundings such as these.”

Sarah Candy, Essex county councillor in charge of children’s services, added: “This promises to deliver the future of special educational needs provision in Basildon.”

The project is being carried out by Essex Local Education Partnership, a joint venture between Essex County Council, Building Schools for the Future Investments, Skanska and educational ICT specialists RM.