Councillors agree next steps in £57.7million schools investment programme

A £57.7million programme of investment in the Borough's school and nursery buildings is continuing at a pace, with construction at two more sites set to get under way.

The £6million extension and refurbishment of Bishopton Pupil Referral Unit, in Billingham, will start in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, work on a new £6.2million block to provide extra capacity at Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth, on Harrowgate Lane, is also set to get off the ground.

The schemes are part of a now £57.7million programme of school and nursery expansions, improvements and rebuilds taking place across the Borough.

The programme, led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, is funded by money the Council secured from Government, plus contributions from schools and developers.

At a meeting of the Council's Cabinet today, councillors agreed the next upgrades in the programme and also allocated funds to meet inflationary rises in contract costs.

Councillor Lisa Evans, the Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We've been making massive investment in school buildings across the Borough in recent years, irrespective of whether they are schools or academies, and a number of those projects have already been completed.

"Millions of pounds have gone into these improvements, creating space for more pupils and all kinds of brilliant facilities too. What we've agreed at Cabinet today will see that investment continue and it means we'll make a difference to even more young lives.

"All of the funding for this work is coming from money we've secured from Government in the shape of 'basic need' funding, combined with money from schools and contributions that housing developers are obliged to make towards these facilities.

"In the last year or so we've also secured £5.5million in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) capital grant from Government, which has boosted the overall investment from £52million to £57.7million.

"It's vitally important that we do all we can to provide our children and young people with high quality learning environments fit for a modern education. It's about giving them the very best start we can, and I'm sure parents and carers would support that.

"These upgrades will also ensure our schools have enough capacity to keep pace with the Borough's growth. It's particularly pleasing to see further improvements for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities too."

Which schools are benefiting from investment?

The programme includes the following schemes:

Ash Trees Academy

As capacity can't be increased on the Ash Trees Academy site due to lack of space, a £1million scheme to build two new classrooms at Billingham South Primary School has been agreed. This "satellite provision" will be delivered by Ash Trees and will provide an additional 20 special school places in the Borough.

Abbey Hill Academy

A sum of £185,000 has been set aside to support Abbey Hill to make some physical alterations at North Shore Academy, where it currently delivers specialist support to a small number of pupils with moderate learning difficulties. The alterations will increase capacity in response to a growth in demand for these places in recent years.

Bishopton Pupil Referral Unit

A £6million extension and refurbishment of existing buildings to modernise facilities.

Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form

A £12.5million project including the construction of a new teaching block and improvements to the sixth form block and hall.

Ian Ramsey CE Academy/St Michael's Catholic Academy

Work to create new changing facilities is ongoing at Ian Ramsey CE Academy, while discussions with St Michael's Catholic Academy about providing outdoor play areas including an all-weather pitch are also continuing.

Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth

A new £6.2million block will increase the school's capacity by 300 places.

Oxbridge Lane Primary School

A total of £7.5million has been set aside to redevelop the school (pictured), with a number of options - including the opportunity to bring the nursery on site - being considered and consulted on.

Early Years provision

A further £200,000 has been allocated in addition to the £385,000 already committed to allow more early years providers to create communication and language focused play areas and facilities as part of the Council's Best Start in Life Strategy.

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