Bid to resolve issues holding back building £25m school

In a meeting arranged through Durham City MP Gerry Steinberg, Education Minister Stephen Twigg met a delegation from Durham Johnston School and Durham County Council to try to discuss the issue.

The school operates from two sides of Durham City and the county council wants to build a new school on its main Crossgate Moor site.

But because of its good academic achievements, it doesn't qualify for early inclusion in the Government's Building Schools for the Future initiative to upgrade or replace every secondary school in the country over the next ten to 15 years.

Lifelong Learning cabinet member Councillor Neil Foster said: "Our meeting with the minister was timely and constructive.

"The county council wants to replace the school as soon as possible, but we need to overcome the funding gap.

"Building Schools for the Future does not suit schools like Durham Johnston and there is a real risk it will be left at the back of the queue if action is not taken.

"I think the minister now recognises this and I hope that he and the Secretary of State will continue to reflect on how individual cases of this kind can be best be dealt with."

Under present procedures, the council is able to bid for up to £6m and the delegation asked for this to be reviewed to accommodate a bid for the full £11m.

Coun Foster said: "The minister undertook to consider this and we welcome his willingness to do so.

"We will certainly take full advantage if an opportunity is made available to us."

Chairman of governors Roberta Blackman-Woods said: "The case for building a new school is not just compelling, it's overwhelming.

"It can't be expected to go on forever on separate sites with so much temporary accommodation. It was absolutely vital that the council and the school together were able to make such a strong, unified case for a new school as a matter of urgency.