£millions to benefit schools
North Yorkshire is spending millions over the next year on improving the
county’s schools.
Following approval of the schools’ capital programme, North Yorkshire is to invest more than £13 million this year in upgrading and modernising its school facilities for learning as well as improving the fabric of school buildings and keeping them safe and fit for purpose.
In addition, over £600,000 has been allocated through the Government’s Healthy Pupils Capital Funding to improve facilities to encourage physical activities for North Yorkshire children.
The funding has come through the government’s allocation of both School Condition Grant and the capital grant for Voluntary Aided Schools which are for maintenance, improvements and new build. Overall, about 110 schools spread across the county will benefit from some investment this year.
Councillor Patrick Mulligan, North Yorkshire’s Executive Member for Schools, said: “Investing in the fabric of our schools is crucially important. North Yorkshire retains responsibility for the fabric of 280 schools, many more than most authorities.
“We cannot therefore address all issues, but we work closely with our schools on their buildings and facilities so they can get on with the business of delivering a top quality 21st century school curriculum.”
Although the recently approved individual school programmes are in the very early stages, work is underway on significant projects from allocations in previous years.
The proposed capital investment for a new sixth-form building for King James’s School in Knaresborough continues to advance. Subject to satisfactory tender, construction will start in the autumn ready for occupation in September 2019. Works include the demolition of the current sixth-form building, removal of two temporary classroom units and the erection of a new two-storey sixthform building.
In Scarborough, work is to begin this summer on £2m new teaching block at Graham School. The county council committed the capital funding to bring the school on to one site which will significantly improve the teaching and learning environment. The contractor appointment is now complete and construction works are programmed to start in July with completion expected in late 2018.
The significant expansion of St Mary’s RC Primary School in Malton has now moved into the construction phase. The work is being delivered by the school and the Diocese of Middlesbrough and will see the school expand by 60 places from 150 to 210 overall through provision of additional classrooms and a new hall. The work is due to be complete in Spring 2019.
“We are delighted that these very significant projects are now advancing,” said Cllr Mulligan. “We need more school places in those where there is significant housing expansion and we also need buildings which will support schools to provide the best education possible to our children and young people. We very much look forward to seeing the completed works in due course.”