Artist's impression: The new school at Yi Pak Bay would have 30 secondary school and 18 primary school classrooms.

The Legislative Council's Public Works Subcommittee has approved plans for a $225 million private independent school to be built at Yi Pak Bay in Discovery Bay.

The Government would pay $137 million towards the cost in the form of a capital grant while the school sponsor would contribute $88 million.

The proposed school will have 30 secondary-school classrooms and 18 primary-school classrooms. The school sponsor plans to start construction in March, for completion in August 2007.

The proposed works are expected to create 240 jobs - 215 for labourers and 25 for professionals and technical staff - and provide 4,300 man-months of employment.

Students to be recruited from across Hong Kong

When finished, this so-called "through-train" school would see students progress in their learning through their school years fro ages five to 18. It will offer a curriculum based on the International Baccaluareate programmes, including Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma. It would also be one of the few schools in Hong Kong providing all three programmes at the same time.

While using English as the medium of  teaching and learning, there will be a strong emphasis on Chinese language and culture, and all students would be expected to learn Putonghua.