Pupils help knock down school

They helped knock down part of the Newhaven school.

Andrew Jones from Year 7 and Year 11 student Chelsea Usher struck the first blow as demolition work began.

Tideway, which was severely damaged two years ago by fire, is undergoing a 10.8 million redevelopment.

Fellow students cheered as the pair '“ under strictly controlled conditions '“ started the demolition of the old C Block using a 20-tonne excavator.

They were assisted by construction workers from Longley-Kier Regional Ltd.

Andrew (11) and Chelsea (15) were chosen for the task by staff who wanted a beginning (Year 7) and an ending (Year 11).

Chelsea is the elected female school representative for her year group.

Large parts of the school were destroyed or put out of use by the arson attack in April 2005 and since then the county council has been working closely with the school to minimise the disruption to pupils and to draw up rebuild and refurbishment proposals.

Building work began in July and the plan is to complete work on the project in October next year.

Careful planning has gone into providing alternative accommodation on the site to minimise disruption while the works go on.

Cllr Rupert Simmons, lead cabinet member for learning and school effectiveness at the county council, said: 'It's not every day that pupils get invited to demolish their own school and I'm sure they relished the opportunity.

A great job for Tideway pupils Andrew Jones from Year 7 and Year 11 student Chelsea Usher