PLANS are in motion to transform the technology block of a Newport high school back into a special centre to teach construction.

Pupils at St Julian's High School can already study construction but must travel to Coleg Gwent in order to do so.

Traditionally taught at the school in the past, construction as a subject will be taught on site as of September this year when work to demolish interior walls within the technology block is complete.

Head of design and technology Tim Hemming said students will specialise in brick work, block work and joining skills among other things and will be building small sections of wall to imitate working on a real house.

The change will involve retraining some staff, moving staff around and employing some new members of staff.

"It's exciting, it's a big move for them," said Mr Hemming of the pupils, of which there are 11 already signed up for the BTEC Level 2 in Construction Skills course in September.

The technology block is already equipped with everything from laser cutters to 3D CAD software, and the new rooms will mean the school can offer the full range of technology qualifications, said Mr Hemming.

"This will enable us to meet demand," he said. "There will be nothing we're not covering. It's going to mean we're fully set up to offer probably the widest range of skills locally, doing the whole remit from mechanical to civil engineering. We can potentially expand and really take off."