Rundown school to be renovated
A SCHOOL which has been in “desperate” need of renovations for over a decade is finally set to receive improvements in the latest round of the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme.
A total of 10 North East schools have been added to the list of schools which will be rebuilt or revamped in the latest round of the scheme, the Government has announced.
Among the schools to be renovated is Framwellgate School Durham, which headteacher Andy Byers says is currently not fit for purpose.
Yesterday he said he was “delighted” with the announcement after calling on the Government to make improvements to the school for a number of years. Mr
Byers, who has been headteacher at the school since 2017, said: “I’m delighted, this is exactly what the school has needed as it’s not fit for purpose any longer.
“We want our students to be learning in a 21st-century environment and our staff to work in a nice environment too.”
Since 2010, around 500 schools across the country have been refurbished or rebuilt under Government programmes. Framwellgate School Durham was down for a rebuild under the Building Schools for the Future scheme in the late 2000s but the project was cancelled in 2010 by then Education Secretary Michael Gove.
Following yesterday’s announcement Mr Byers hopes that the school will be granted a significant rebuild.
He added: “Given the state of our buildings I’m fairly confident that there will be a substantial amount of rebuilding, but it’s difficult to say for sure at this early stage.”
As well as Framwellgate School Durham, the Government also announced that St Leonard’s Catholic School in Durham is also to receive renovations.
Mary Kelly Foy, MP for the City of Durham, who has campaigned for both schools to be rebuilt, said: “Today’s news is fantastic for the City of Durham.
“This is exciting news for students, staff, and parents in Durham and I am incredibly pleased that we have now taken a big step towards rebuilding both schools.
“I want to pay tribute to both schools for tirelessly fighting for better facilities for their pupils over recent yearsknowing their staff and students deserved better.”