TWO pupils today (TUES) cut the first turf on a £12m new free school development in Teesside.

Parents have been campaigning for a second secondary school in Ingleby Barwick for nine years - and Ingleby Manor Free School opened in temporary premises in an industrial estate last year.

Now work has finally begun on a permanent site, off Low Lane in the town. There are currently 200 year 7 and 8 pupils in the temporary classrooms, and admissions are open for next year.

The new school building, which will also be available for use by the community and will be open 364 days a year, is expected to be complete by September 2016.

Pupils Jemima Burton, 13, and James Cox, who turns 13 tomorrow (THURS), were on-site yesterday with principal David Willard, school directors and governors, to officially start work on their new school.

Plans for the free school in Ingleby Barwick were approved in September after planning permission had been rejected by Labour-run Stockton Council.

Free schools can be set up by members of the community but are funded by taxpayers, free to attend and not controlled by a local authority.

*Ingleby Manor Free School is holding an open evening for potential new parents and year 6 pupils tomorrow night (WED) at its temporary base, 72 Jay Avenue, Teesside Industrial Estate, Stockton on Tees, TS17 9LZ.