WORK on rebuilding Carisbrooke College to create a school 'fit for the 21st century’ will begin in April and is expected to be completed by February 2019.
Executive headteacher Peter Shaw revealed the timetable for the works after permission was granted by the IW Council’s planning committee at a special meeting last Thursday.
Mr Shaw said: "It is absolutely fantastic news. This felt at times like a bit of a saga. It seems to have gone on for years and years.
"Obviously, we need to close the contract but I can’t foresee any problems there.
"It is really good news for the community and the whole of the IW. It is great to see an injection of cash and to see major investment in the Island."
At the planning committee meeting, members heard concerns there were not enough parking spaces for cyclists and the importance of re-opening the rest of Taylor Road to ease traffic concerns.
Members unanimously approved the scheme but boosted the number of cycle parking spaces to 50.
As previously reported, parts of the existing school will be bulldozed and replaced with a new two and three-storey building with associated landscaping.
The new building will significantly reduce the size of the under-subscribed school to 600 places. The current building has the capacity for more than 1,000 students but serves only about 650.
Financial support for the multi-million-pound project comes from the Education Funding Agency after the school, with support from the IW Council, successfully put together a case for the rebuild.

Reporter: davidn@iwcpmail.co.uk