Former School Reduced To Rubble

Demolition of the former Fairfield Junior School is nearing completion.

The Victorian building closed as a school nearly a decade ago but its demise will bring back many childhood memories

One former pupil posed on Facebook: ‘I cannot believe they are tearing down my old school. It was such a beautiful building which just needed a little TLC.

‘They could have done so much more with lit like a walk-in doctors or dentist – something to help our crumbling services. It’s disgraceful in my opinion.’

Fairfield Junior School was previously Tynwald Street School.

It merged with Ballacloan School on Demesne Road in 2013, and then closed in 2016 when staff and pupils moved into the new Henry Bloom Noble School.

Ballacloan School itself was demolished in 2023 at a reported cost of £70,000. The site was cleared as part of the Westmoreland Village scheme, with further properties in the area due to be demolished in the coming weeks.

Fairfield School had latterly been used as a base for the Salvation Army, following its departure from the Citadel until that organisation moved to new premises at Ballacottier Crescent on the Isle Of Man Business Park, which opened last year.

Contractors Manx Demolition began work on the site earlier this month.

The DESC has been approached for confirmation on plans for the site.

(Photo – Frank Schuengel)