The Education Minister has been praised for his ’hard work behind the scenes’ to ensure a replacement Castle Rushen High School is built.

In a letter to Castletown Commissioners, Castle Rushen head teacher Keith Winstanley said Graham Cregeen has tried ’to the best of his ability within his political remit’ to progress the project, writes local democracy reporter Ewan Gawne.

At a local authority meeting last month, commissioner Jimmy Cubbon vented his frustration at the Minister over the time it has taken to construct a new high school.

Mr Winstanley’s correspondence was received by the Castletown board at a meeting last week.

He shares their concerns over a ’tangible lack of progress’, but insists plans are ’very much in the hands of the Treasury’.

It’s understood that Treasury is currently considering ’briefing documentation’ for the project, with the final cost of the new school has yet to be agreed.