Almost 60 years on from the opening of a market town’s new high school, the traditional sod cutting has taken place on its £25m replacement.

The plans to replace Neston High on Raby Park Road were approved by the borough council under a government programme to deal with schools most in need of urgent repair.

The new three-storey school will be built on an artificial grass pitch on the campus with most of the present school buildings continuing in use until the new school can be occupied.

They will then be demolished to make way for new and replacement outdoor sports facilities and parking.

Progress on the new building project took a landmark step forward with the completion of the traditional ground-breaking ceremony, arranged to coincide with the 58th anniversary of the opening of the existing school.

Ian Mellor (governor), Steven Dool (headteacher) and Colin Randerson (deputy head) at the sod cutting for the new £25m Neston High School
Ian Mellor (governor), Steven Dool (headteacher) and Colin Randerson (deputy head) at the sod cutting for the new £25m Neston High School

Present at the ceremony were members of the governing body, headteacher Steven Dool, members of the senior leadership team at Neston High along with students.

They were joined by special guest David Burkey who had been present at the opening of the original school on January 6, 1958.

Mr Burkey was one of the first students through the doors of the newly opened building and was appointed as one of the first prefects.

He said: “This is a very special day for the school and for the whole of the community. Neston is very fortunate to be benefiting from such a significant investment.

“I will watch with interest as the new school develops over the next 18 months.”

History in the making

Leading the students were head girl Tess Clegg and head boy Tom Jones together with the youngest pupil in the school Lauren Reid.

Tess said: “It is incredible to think that people will be looking back at these photographs in another 50 years’ time. This really does feel like being a part of history in the making.”

Representing the governors were chairman Kevin Mothersdale and Ian Mellor who has been working closely with deputy head, Colin Randerson and business manager Tina Phillips on the new build project since its inception almost five years ago.

The new school is scheduled to open its doors in September 2017 and, during the build phase, Warwickshire-based contractors Morgan Sindall are committed to working in partnership with the school and its students.

Headteacher Mr Dool said: “It will be fantastic watching the new building grow over the next 18 months as we continue to work on the existing site, well away from the construction site.”