A £16 million project to provide Yate International Academy with a much- needed new building has reached a milestone.

Just 14 months ago, the scheme was in doubt after being put on hold so a review of all school building projects could be carried out.

The coalition Government was considering its austerity measures, leading to an anxious wait before the school heard the funding would be provided.

Now students and staff have celebrated the topping out of the building, which is due to open next summer.

The scheme will transform the former King Edmund Community School in Sundridge Park, where the academy is based.

Being in new premises will also improve the academy's specialist subjects of science, health and sport, as well as supporting development of the international curriculum.

The school is one half of the Ridings Federation of Academies, the other being Winterbourne International Academy, previously The Ridings High School.

Both schools opened with their new names in September 2009, with the federation created so the top-performing Ridings could provide leadership to the less successful Yate comprehensive.

Local dignitaries and education professionals were invited to join academy staff and pupils for the topping out of the development, which is being built by Willmott Dixon Construction.

Tours of the site were organised and a number of displays put on for the visitors.

As an academy, the school is independently funded direct from central Government.

But South Gloucestershire Council stepped in to meet a £500,000 shortfall two years ago to ensure the scheme could go ahead.

Council leader John Calway said: "We are hugely supportive of the work that the federation is doing to transform local students' education and this is why we are helping to fund this development.

"It's great to see the new building take shape and reach such an important milestone. I look forward to its completion."