THE multi-million pound redevelopment of a Richmond school is on schedule despite fears over a shortage of steel, teachers have been told.

The steel frame and concrete floors have now been erected for the £7.6m new St Francis Xavier school building. Staff were given a tour of the site on Friday.

Headteacher Dr Joe McAuley said the new school would be a modern well-designed building, equipped with the latest technology.

He said: "We currently have twice as many children as the school was originally designed for.

"We have completely outgrown the accommodation.

"The school has been successful - to build on that success we have to provide the right facilities."

Pupils will move into the first area of the new building in September.

The existing building will then be demolished to make way for the second phase, which includes an international sized sports hall and dance studio.

This final stage of the redevelopment is due to be completed in August 2006.

Dr McAuley said the project was on schedule despite recent steel shortages and a price increase. He said: "China is going through a huge development programme and buying up all the steel.

"The cost of steel has been rising in recent months and we were very lucky to get enough and at a reasonable price."