Eleven ageing schools across the region are celebrating after being earmarked for a rebuild or refurbishment though a £1 billion Government fund.

In James Cleverly’s first announcement as Education Secretary, he said the schools would either receive “state of the art” rebuilds or refurbishments.

The investment to provide modern classrooms for thousands of pupils forms part of the Government’s flagship School Rebuilding Programme, with work on the rebuilds starting immediately.

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Buildings will be updated and modernised, while new sports halls, music rooms, science laboratories and dining areas will be included as part of the scheme.

The Government said the buildings will be net-zero carbon in operation.

10 in the North East and six in Yorkshire and the Humber will be built, which the Government said would help with its levelling up agenda.

Mr Cleverly said: “Our School Rebuilding Programme is already making a difference to the lives of pupils and their teachers. It is creating greener school sites that are fit for the future and that local communities can be proud of.

“We know how important it is to have high-quality school facilities. That is why we continue to invest billions in our rebuilding programme.”

Among the schools Andy Byers, headteacher of Framwellgate School Durham, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Framwellgate School Durham has been chosen to be part of the School Rebuilding Programme.

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“Our school was designed and built in the 1960s and is old and tired and very poorly designed. With a new building we will be able to give our students facilities and a learning environment which will inspire them, and our staff, in the working environment they deserve.”

Since being elected to Parliament in 2019, Mary Kelly Foy MP for the City of Durham has championed the case for schools in her constituency to be rebuilt.

Most recently, in March 2022, Ms Foy led a debate in the House of Commons on the need for both Framwellgate School and St Leonards to be added to the rebuilding programme.

Reacting to the announcement, Ms Foy said: “Today’s news is fantastic for the City of Durham.

"Since being elected I have worked closely with the leadership of both St Leonard's and Framwellgate to highlight the serious disruption that their crumbling school buildings have been causing to pupils and staff.

"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 years- knowing their staff and students deserved better.”

Here is a full list of the schools

County Durham

  • Ferryhill Station Primary School
  • Framwellgate School Durham
  • St Leonard’s Catholic School

Darlington

  • Polam Hall School

Gateshead

  • St Joseph’s Catholic Junior School, Birtley

Newcastle Upon Tyne

  • Benton Park Primary School

North Tyneside

  • Wellfield Middle School

Northumberland

  •  Cramlington Learning Village

Sunderland 

  • St Aidan’s Catholic Academy
  • St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Ryhope

York 

  • Tang Hall Primary Academy

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