Multi-million pound schools transformation

11:20am Tuesday 13th May 2008

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By Sally Henfield »

A MULTI-MILLION pound transformation of Blackburn with Darwen's primary schools is set to begin next year.

The council will receive £8.7million of government money to rebuild or upgrade school buildings.

The cash - £3.1million for 2009/10 and £5.6million for 2010/11 - will be targeted at schools and areas with the highest need, although exact details of which schools will benefit have not yet been decided.

A decision will be based on predicted future pupil numbers, the condition and suitability of existing school buildings, educational standards and levels of deprivation. Many schools are likely to receive improvements to dining, kitchen, sports and ICT facilities.

A strategy for change document outlining the vision for primary school education in Blackburn with Darwen will be submitted to the government for consideration in June.

Coun Chris Thayne, executive member for children's services, said: "Those crucial years in primary school set the foundation stones for children's education and that's why this investment is so important."

Residents are invited to email comments about the council's vision for primary schools to ell.comments@blackburn.gov.uk.