COUNCILLORS have agreed plans to invest £37m in school and nursery buildings in the Stockton area.

Stockton Borough Council is planning a series of expansions, improvements and rebuilds after securing "basic need" funding from Government.

All Saints Church of England Academy in Ingleby Barwick, Ian Ramsey CE Academy, Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth and Our Lady and St Bede Catholic Academy in Stockton will all be expanded thanks to a £16.2m pool of cash.

An £8m scheme to demolish and rebuild blocks, said to be "in a very poor condition", at Egglescliffe School and Sixth Form College was also among the proposals, which were considered by the council's cabinet last night.

Cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Ann McCoy, said: “We have worked very hard to secure this funding, which gives us the opportunity to ensure we have enough capacity to keep pace with the borough’s growth, while also allowing us to support schools where there are concerns about the condition or accessibility of buildings.

“Given the recent investment in primary schools, these proposals focus on secondary schools, pre-school, and SEND provision.

"A number of academies and Diocesan schools stand to benefit too, which demonstrates our commitment to supporting all schools, irrespective of their governance arrangements.

One of those supporting the proposals is Our Lady and St Bede Catholic Academy Headteacher, Chris Hammill.

In a letter he said: “We are delighted with the proposed investment into our school. We are very grateful for the proactive and inclusive approach of the Council in this regard. .

“We are excited about working with the Council on this project which we believe will add greatly to the excellent education we already provide for the young people of Stockton-on-Tees.”

The plans will create hundreds of new school places and a £1m hall will be built at Conyers School in Yarm. This money is expected to be recouped through financial contributions from housing developers further down the line.

A £2m investment in early years is planned to expand nurseries across Stockton and Ingleby Barwick.

Provision for special educational needs will receive a £2.6m funding boost and £6.6m will be earmarked to improve primary schools.

Two head teachers, Simon White, head of Egglescliffe School and Mr Hammill spoke in favour of the plans at the meeting, with Maura Regan, chief executive of Carmel Education Trust.