WORK has begun to demolish a Carlisle secondary school that was flooded twice.

Demolition experts have moved onto the site of Newman Catholic School on Lismore Place and begun knocking down parts of the building.

The school, which now temporarily operates from Harraby, was submerged in seven feet of water when Storm Desmond struck in December 2015.

It had previously been flooded in 2005.

John McAuley, the school’s headteacher, has steered the school through its transition from the flooded site on Lismore Place onto the temporary site.

He expressed sadness to see the demolition of the old school, but is pleased that the school community can now look forward to a positive future in a purpose-built modern school with outstanding facilities, located in the garden village area of Carlisle:

He said: "Newman has come through many challenges over recent years, most significantly the devastating flooding of our city centre site.

"Of course, it is very sad to see the demolition of our old school buildings, following extensive flood damage. "However, we need to look to the future and provide a new Catholic school fit for the 21st Century for our students from Year 7 into sixth form.

"We are on our way to exciting new beginnings for Newman Catholic School, with our new school building due to open in 2020.”

Contractors have already begun working on the school, which is located at a site off Scalegate Road.

The school, which failed its Ofsted inspection in 2017, was taken out of special measures in March.

But inspectors said it still requires improvement in five out of six key areas.

The report confirmed that the changes to strengthen leadership and management at the Carlisle secondary school are having a positive effect on the quality of education that pupils receive.

Mr McAuley said the new building would help give staff and pupils stability.

“We will know where the school is going to be located and our Ofsted report is going in the right direction,” he explained.

“It’s crucial and critical that we have happy and successful children."