West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas says he is excited by the progress of the new building work at Helston Community College after a visit this week.

Contractors BAM and school staff showed him round the three-tier £17 million building, which is taking shape on the school’s north site and which is scheduled to open as planned in time for the start of the new school year in September 2019.

The new structure will include a large sports hall and separate assembly hall, with the reception area and hall on the ground level and with classrooms for maths, English and science built above on the first floor and also on a lower-ground level, due to the slope of the ground.

Mr Thomas, who was joined by Helston mayor John Martin for the tour, said: “Seeing the progress of the works is so exciting – this new build will be such a boost for staff and pupils who for too long have had to work in facilities that are far from ideal and it will also bring renewed confidence and pride for the whole Helston community.”

Mr Thomas said he first became involved more than ten years ago at a meeting in 2007, when the problems and issues with the C-Block structure first came to light.

Since then there have been many false starts and hurdles, but in 2015 the Government awarded funding to the school under its Priority School Building Programme.

Shortly afterwards, he accompanied the then Education Secretary Nicky Morgan on a visit to the school and she was able to see for herself why the money for a new building was so necessary.

“To get to this stage is brilliant after such a long road,” added Mr Thomas.