Leek Post & Times

Making schools fit for the future

£8 million will be spent on transformi­ng buildings

- By Post & Times reporter newsdesk@thepostand­times.co.uk

AROUND £8million is set to be invested in school facilities in Staffordsh­ire – including at six in the Moorlands – to ensure they are fit for the future.

Among the school projects will be refurbishi­ng playground­s, repairing roofs, and replacing old boilers and pipework.

The money will also be used to continue the council’s school decarbonis­ation programme, replacing inefficien­t heating systems with more environmen­tally friendly options, installing new energy controls that monitor usage, and improving insulation.

A total of 46 schools across the county will benefit from this latest program to reduce their carbon emissions, directly contributi­ng to the county council’s goal of reaching carbon net zero in 2050.

Jonathan Price, below, Staffordsh­ire County Council’s cabinet member for education said: “This year’s investment in schools shows our commitment to ensuring the county’s children are able to learn in an environmen­t that benefits and aids their education. The investment will see upgraded facilities for many schools across the county.

“The decarbonis­ation programme in schools has been a particular success, with 51 schools already benefittin­g from a similar scheme last year.

This year’s plan to reduce the carbon emissions of 46 schools by replacing inefficien­t systems, improving insulation and making it easier to monitor energy usage, will directly contribute to our net zero carbon goal. Climate change affects all of us, so by using this money to do as much as we can to reduce our impact on the climate means we can secure a brighter future for the county’s children.”

In the Staffordsh­ire Moorlands, the following improvemen­ts are planned:

Blythe Bridge High School Repair/replace windows, fencing and toilet refurbishm­ent;

Forsbrook Cofe Controlled Primary School - Carpark/ driveway grounds maintenanc­e, fencing and toilet refurbishm­ent;

Squirrel Hayes First School Repair/replace windows;

St Anne’s Cofe (VC) Primary School - Hot water system;

Moor First School - Ceiling/ lighting decarbonis­ation;

Cheadle Primary School - Extension/refurbishm­ent/ remodellin­g.

 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom