Rochdale’s schools escape cuts to BSF scheme

Schools across the borough have breathed a sigh of relief after hearing that a £190million rebuilding programme will still be going ahead.

It comes after the Government yesterday (Monday 5 July 2010) announced cuts to the national Building Schools for the Future Fund (BSF) scheme.

But saved from the list of scrapped projects were the 16 secondary schools due to be rebuilt or refurbished in Rochdale.

Nationally, 715 school revamps will be scrapped, which the Government hopes will save it about £1bn a year. A total of 706 projects will go ahead. They, like Rochdale’s, had reached a stage that was advanced enough for them to continue.

The contract for the scheme was signed back in January of this year.

Leader of Rochdale Council Irene Davidson said the Government’s announcement was 'Fantastic news for the Borough’s schools.'

She said: “Good schools are fundamental for good education and for that they need good infrastructure. It’s great to see the transformation of education is still firmly on track in the borough. This investment will make a huge difference for all our pupils, teachers and local communities.

She added: “It’s good to see that the Government have recognised that Rochdale is a town which needs investment and has the capacity to deliver great educational facilities for its communities. This approval now means we can go ahead with our plans.”

Claire Butler, Local Education Partnership General Manager added:“It is great news that BSF investment in Rochdale is continuing and, as Rochdale Council’s local education partner, we are delighted to be able to support every secondary school to continue to deliver first class educational facilities for young people and communities across the borough.”

On Friday, the Government gave the go ahead for Phase 1b schools, Cardinal Langley and Matthew Moss, and this announcement secures the future development of 16 secondary schools in total across the borough.

Councillor Teresa Fitzsimons, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said:
“This is fantastic news for the young people across the borough who will now see a complete transformation of secondary schools. BSF will make a huge difference to standards of education and all our pupils, teachers and the local community will benefit enormously.”

Local schools in the BSF Programme are:

Rochdale and Pennines

1. Brownhill School
2. Darnhill Pupil Referrral Unit
3. Falinge Park High
4. Hollingworth High
5. Kingsway Park
6. Oulder Hill Community
7. Mathew Moss High
8. Redwood Secondary (ICT only)
9. Saxon Hall Pupil Referrral Unit
10. St. Cuthberts's RC Business & Enterprise College
11. Wardle High

Heywood

1. Holy Family RC & CE College
2. Siddal Moor Sports College

Middleton

1. Cardinal Langley RC High
2. Middleton Technology
3. St Anne's Academy