Cash boost for primary schools

Rochdale’s primary schools have been given a cash boost with the Government’s announcement that they will receive nearly £10 million.

The money will kick start the regeneration and rebuilding of schools across the Heywood, Middleton, Rochdale and Pennines townships.

The scheme is part of the Government’s plans to rebuild or refurbish schools across England.

Schools Secretary, Ed Balls, confirmed that £3.55 billion is to be invested in primary schools across England over the next 15 years.

“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country – to sweep away buildings now reaching the end of their shelf life and drive up the quality of our schools,” Mr Balls said.

“Schools are now being revolutionised by the biggest, sustained capital investment for 50 years – benefiting every single primary, secondary, academy and special school in England.

“These plans will allow us to build state-of-the-art primary schools at the heart of our communities – so every child and family has access to year-round extended childcare; parenting support, after schools activities; and access to ICT, sports and arts facilities.”

Rochdale’s Labour Parliamentary Candidate, Simon Danczuk, believes the millions that will be spent on improving the town’s primaries is fantastic news. "Children deserve the best facilities that we can build and teachers deserve better classrooms to work in,” he said. “So this funding is a really welcome boost from our Labour government for education in our area.

"Ten years ago classrooms were in a terrible state. That's been transformed by the biggest ever investment in new buildings, computers and other facilities. But there is still more to do to get the very best facilities in all of Rochdale’s schools and replace old buildings that are no longer fit for the job. At this challenging time for our local economy, it’s vital that we sustain our investment in public services. This huge capital investment will not only improve the education of our children, but help to support jobs in the construction industry and local businesses who will be crucial to fitting out the new and refurbished schools.”