Labourers, tradies and donations are needed to finish the job to equip and fit out the six-classroom school.

A school hall, playground and covered learning area will also be built.

The school services more than 100 Hunter children with autism spectrum disorder and aims to build up their social skills so they can attend mainstream classes.

Satellite classes are also located in 15 rooms in seven locations across Hunter public and Catholic schools, including Cardiff, Belmont and Waratah.

Aspect Hunter School is temporarily based at Gateshead West Public School, with its administration building in Adamstown.

The base school was due to move to its permanent premises in Thornton for the school term's start.

However, after two months of rain, the relocation has been delayed.

The school has a one-term extension at Gateshead West.

Aspect Hunter School relocation started at the end of 2010 when it had to vacate Shortland Public School after Shortland reclaimed its classrooms due to a swell in student numbers.

In stepped Maitland businessman Richard Owens and his family, who donated the land at Thornton for the new school, while fellow Maitland businessman Hilton Grugeon has overseen the school's construction and also donated labour and construction.

But the project is still in need of carpenters, plumbers, electricians, concreters, tilers and painters.

"So far the community response has been fantastic but we don't want to take advantage of the people who are already volunteering so we are spreading the word for more help," Mr Grugeon said.

¦ To help out with labour, phone 4966 4966. To make a financial donation to the Aspect Hunter School, phone 8977 8381.