MORE than 1,000 youngsters are returning to classes after their Easter break to resume their lessons in new surroundings.

Following the biggest single primary school building project undertaken by North Yorkshire County Council, four replacement primary schools have now been completed.

The £25m project began five years ago and was the first scheme undertaken by the authority under the Government's private finance initiative (PFI).

A separate company, Concordat North Yorkshire, was set up to oversee the project, which involved a team from a number of council departments, including education, legal services, financial services, building design and management.

Yesterday, 240 pupils were back at Ripon Cathedral Church of England Primary, which now has large and airy premises with a spectacular view of the cathedral.

The other new schools include Kirby Hill CE Primary, near Boroughbridge, Brotherton and Byram Community Primary and Barlby Community Primary, near Selby.

As well as providing new facilities for five to 11-year-olds, each school also has its own nursery class.

The PFI project is thought to have been the first of its kind in the country providing a group of new primary schools.

It has certainly been the first PFI scheme involving Church of England voluntary-controlled schools and is being regarded as a national trailblazer for them.

The county's executive member for education, Councillor Chris Metcalfe, said: "To see the completion of these four schools has been a great team effort from everyone involved.

"The whole scheme has presented real challenges, which have required innovative solutions, plenty of patience and a sense of humour.

"It is always satisfying to work hard on a project like this and achieve real benefits for local communities."

Only about 30 projects under the private finance initiative are approved each year and the project is being seen as a bonus for the county council.