Cash for schools within reach

Posted by The Journal on Oct 29, 09 08:15 AM in Schools

Northumberland's attempts to finally get its hands on funding from a Government programme to rebuild dilapidated schools is set to take an important step forward.

The county has so far been denied any money from the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which was launched in 2004 with the aim of rebuilding or renewing every secondary school in England.

Now the Liberal Democrat-led county council is being recommended to progress efforts to gain entry to the programme - with plans to improve under-performing schools in the Wansbeck area.

Schools in Ashington and Bedlington - where at least 51% of students failed to gain five A* to C grades at GCSE last year -- have been earmarked as the top priority for any future BSF funding.

The move is part of a new strategy aimed at tackling the link between poor educational achievement at the age of 16 and problems of child poverty and disadvantage.

Next week the county council's executive is expected to agree to go ahead with completing documentation stating that Northumberland is now "ready to deliver" BSF projects.

A report to councillors says that while progressing the documentation does not guarantee inclusion in the BSF programme, the work will significantly enhance the authority's chances of being included.

A recent review and prioritisation exercise by the Department for Children, Schools and Families ranked Northumberland 31st out of 70 projects from authorities which have not yet joined the BSF programme.

The report to the executive says progressing the bid will require spending of about £122,000 on external support.

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