A SCHOOL is expected to be given £400,000 towards improvement works before pupils move into a new academy.

Council cabinet members will be asked on Wednesday to approve two sets of funding to be given to Eastbourne School, in Darlington.

The money will include £150,000 for improvement works to existing buildings. Another £257,536 has already been approved from the children's services capital programme, and will be put towards health and safety, disabled access and fire risk work.

A report to be put before the cabinet meeting said the Eastbourne Church of England Academy would use the current school until September 2009, when the new academy is expected to be finished.

The use of the buildings has been agreed under a short term lease.

The report states: "Under the specifics of the short team lease, there is a requirement for the worst condition, health and safety, Disability Discrimination Act and fire risk elements of the building to be brought up to a reasonable condition to enable the property to transfer to the management of the academy until the new school is built."

The report said the school has received little capital investment since a survey two years ago had identified £1m worth of work was needed.