A SECONDARY school is getting a £4 million makeover – with the bulk of the work going to local businesses.

Maryport’s Netherhall School has had little work done to it since it was built in the 1950s but it is now set to be brought into the 21st Century.

The school is getting new boilers and a heating system, new ITC facilities, LED lighting and building work to make the school more energy efficient.

Headteacher David Tromans said: “The buildings have become tired. An ITC system was installed and then just added to in what we call a daisy chain. But it is no longer fit for the requirements put on it. After this major refurb we should have a system that is more reliable, faster and more energy saving.”

There will also be changes to the exteriors of some of the buildings again, to increase efficiency and energy savings.

The £4 million will be spent over a three year period. Mr Tromans said it had nothing to do with the much vaunted Schools for the Future programme which was mooted by the last Labour Government and scrapped by Conservatives in their austerity drive.

“This is the local authority (Cumbria County Council) recognising a need and committing to it. We have been well supported by the authority and are grateful for their support.”

He said he was also delighted that the county had taken the school’s wishes into consideration which has led to the bulk of the £4 million contract going to local businesses.

“We worked with the authority and were able to show a working relationship with these businesses in the past and demonstrate that they had served us well.”

As a result, the main contract has been awarded to Flimby company Thomas Armstrong Ltd. PK Electrical from Carlisle are carrying out the electricity works and Workington company Superglaze is fitting the new windows. The carpets will come from Eddie Shimmings in Maryport.

“These companies are also hiring other local people for the work, as needed,” Mr Tromans said.

He said the work has meant some disruption: “We have had to re-plan timetables and move students about. But we have the capacity and the students themselves have been very co-operative he said.