£45m could bring Cleveland new and revamped schools

Big refurbishments for schools in Guisborough, Marske and Nunthorpe are on the cards, and Redcar could get a £9m new Roman Catholic primary and secondary complex.

Local MP Dr Ashok Kumar welcomed the Government green light for a detailed business plan.

Redcar and Cleveland Council lead member for lifelong learning, Coun Ian Jeffrey, said: "This announcement is a major achievement for the authority against national competition.

"The investment would improve the quality of learning opportunities for our young people."

Coun Jeffrey said the council had reached the first stage of a process that would now involve members, officers, governing bodies and the communities of all the schools involved.

"No-one is any doubt that to take this through to a successful conclusion will depend on an excellent working relationship with all our partners," he said.

The biggest scheme in the bid is a potential £9m partnership with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Middlesbrough to provide a new secondary and primary school in Redcar.

There are also possible refurbishment plans for Guisborough's Laurence Jackson School, £5.7m; Bydales at Marske, £5.2m; and Nunthorpe, £6.4m.

The bid wants to invest £8.9m in a new building for Gillbrook Technology College and another £1.9m for a new primary school in South Bank.

Dr Kumar, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said the move could mean a programme of renewal for many of the borough's schools through use of a private finance initiative.

"This is brilliant news," said Dr Kumar. "Under these proposals there is the distinct possibility that two schools serving my constituency could benefit - a £6.4m re-build at Nunthorpe School and new buildings at Laurence Jackson in Guisborough. For my constituents this would mean their children receive education in high-quality surroundings, fit for a new century.

"This news follows a lot of lobbying of education ministers to see that our schools get a fair deal.