25th MARCH marks the start of the first phase in the modernisation of Monmouth Comprehensive School and the replacement of the town’s public pool.

From that date, the construction barriers will be erected ready for the demolition of the pool and most of the buildings that came to symbolise the “best days of your life” for tens of thousands of pupils that came to Monmouth Comprehensive School, formerly, and still called, the secondary modern.

The buildings that will disappear will be the old school building, now used as a music block, the library, canteen, the old gym, the hall and the building that houses most of the administration staff, and the head teachers office.

Above those buildings are the science, biology and language rooms that have seen generations of pupils learn and develop their skills.

A crane has been erecting the temporary school accommodation to facilitate the phase one demolition of the existing school with infrastructure and drainage/ underground services work to prepare the site for the new building.

It is on programme at the moment for the start of the new school building planned for the summer of 2016. The enabling work is complex for this site and includes a number of phases and decants so has been planned carefully to ensure that the full working of the school and leisure centre is not interrupted as well as ensuring educational delivery is maintained for all students.