PUPILS and staff have welcomed the announcement of £3m funding to improve classroom conditions in Stockton schools.

The money, which is a huge increase on previous years' figure, will be spent on replacing temporary mobile classrooms, mending leaky roofs and building access for disabled pupils and their families.

One 11-year-old girl, who leaves a primary school in Yarm this summer, will now be assured of a place at Conyers School in the town, because the cash has enabled work on ramps, toilets and lifts to be carried out.

Otherwise, Rachel Harrison would have been forced to attend a school further from her home in Stockton, where it would have been easier for her to use her wheelchair.

Rachel's father, Andrew, said: "We're pleased for Rachel because the access work means she can go to the main school in the area and to be with her friends. She can also join her friends in classes and won't have to go to special classrooms."

It is also hoped to use funds earmarked for disabled access to provide education within Stockton borough for pupils with eye impairments. Some Stockton youngsters with visual impairments currently have to attend schools in Middlesbrough.

Conyers School deputy headteacher Peter Dixon said: "This is the best news we've had for schools in years. We've been allocated more than £1m to replace our ten temporary classrooms with bricks and mortar, which is a giant step forward for us.

"We started off with three, then they've just mushroomed and become virtually permanent.

"It means the students don't have to trek through rain and snow to isolated classrooms which have maintenance problems," he said.

The cash comes from the Government's New Deal for Schools an enables other schools to combine junior and infants sections and to reduce classroom sizes.

Councillor Alex Cunningham, Stockton Borough Council cabinet member for education, said: "This is a massive boost for our schools, to improve the fabric of schools and encourage pupils with special challenges to join mainstream education."