See demolition of former buildings at Hartlepool school as work continues during the lockdown

Diggers have been clearing the former English Martyrs School site on Catcote Road for the last few months.

Work is continuing despite the coronavirus lockdown and headteacher Stephen Hammond says they are on course for the demolition to be finished by July.

Most of the old school’s 40-year-old buildings are being pulled down and will be replaced by new playing fields.

It is the second phase of the redevelopment of English Martyrs after moving into a brand new building on the same site last September.

Some of the old buildings are already down.

Mr Hammond said: “We are delighted that the demolition phase has progressed so well and at our virtual progress meeting last week it was noted that we are still on course for the entire project to be completed in July.

“This will mean that the playing fields will be created on the site of the old buildings.”

Mr Hammond explained how the old school was made up of two school buildings which had been combined into one, but neither were designed to cope with the number of students that English Martyrs now teaches.

But some of the old site will remain. Four smaller detached buildings and classrooms are being including the newer Sixth Form kept and art and music block, which is set to be extended to provide new WCs.

English Martyrs’ new three-story U-shaped school was completed last summer by BAM Construction as part of the Department for Education’s £67 million Priority School Building Programme.

As well as improved facilities the new building and has increased English Martyrs’ student capacity from around 1,630 to 1,750.

The new building boasts new science and ICT suites, a spacious dining area and separate sports hall.

Mr Hammond previously said: “One thing we have stressed is it’s the same school, but a new school building.

“The important thing is the people who work in it and the opportunities it offers.”

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