A number of buildings at The Bay CE School secondary site – formally Sandown High School – are being demolished at the moment.
What was known as blocks 1, 5 and 7 are to be knocked down having come to the end of their use as an educational facility.
All buildings were rid of asbestos and stripped before diggers came in on Friday.
Thousands of students have been taught in Block 1 over the decades, with Block 5 used as a changing area (now derelict) and Block 7 as a staff area (now unused). Once the buildings have been demolished the areas will be grassed or tarmacked over.
Whilst the demolition works are underway, blocks 2, 3, 4 and 6 are all being renovated and given a fresh lease of life.
Sandown High School was formed in 1970 when Sandown Grammar and Fairway Secondary Modern schools were merged. It lasted until 2012 when the school became Sandown Bay Academy, later transforming to The Bay CE School in 2018.
The work is being carried out by Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure and local firm John Peck Construction will be brought in for the demolition aspect.
That’s sad… had great times in that building
Block 3 was the Secondary Modern, Block 1 the Grammer School. Block 3 we could wear long trousers from age 11, Block 1 shorts for the first year.
Then it went Comprehensive when Mr Northover left and we all benefitted from Grannies Young and Watts, Grassy Fields, Guss Baker, Charlie Bawdon, Bob Welch et al.
They filmed part of ‘That’ll be the Day’ with David Essex there.
Time always marches on but leaves some very fond memories in its wake.