Badger Hill Primary set for revamp as of Government’s Priority School Building Programme

Badger Hill Primary is among hundreds of schools from across the country which will receive the cash to upgrade their facilities as part of the Government’s Priority School Building Programme.

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said that at this stage it is not known precisely how much money the school will get.

Badger Hill Primary School will undergo a major refurbishment thanks to a grant from the government’s Priority School Building Programme.

The funding, announced today, addresses the needs of schools in most need of urgent repair. The scope - and therefore the cost - of the scheme won’t be finalised until technical assessors from the Department for Education have visited the school. However, it’s hoped that the funding will be used to:

·        Replace part of the roof

·        Replace approximately 80 per cent of the windows

·        Rewiring the school

·        Upgrade the school’s heating system.

City of York Council submitted the funding bid last year.

The council has agreed to fund an upgrade of the school’s electricity supply.

Cllr Janet Looker, Cabinet member for Education, Children and Young People, City of York Council, said: “We know that that the quality of the school environment is an influential factor in how children learn. This much-needed funding will enable us to carry out major maintenance works at Badger Hill Primary, which will benefit all the pupils and staff.”

Head teacher, Andrea Hall, said: "We are thrilled with the news and await to hear more."

In East Yorkshire East Riding of Yorkshire Council also successfully bid for funding for major improvements at three schools. Longcroft School in Beverley, Hilderthorpe Primary School in Bridlington and Withernsea Primary School will all have school buildings either refurbished or replaced.

Work planned for Longcroft School will involve the replacement or refurbishment of the Lower School building.

Councillor Julie Abraham, portfolio holder for children, young people and education, said: “It is excellent news that three East Riding schools have been successful in the Priority School Buildings Programme bidding round. As they are all large schools it means that many children and young people will benefit from the building projects.”

Meanwhile in North Yorkshire, Barlby High School will also benefit from the programme.

The works will all be funded from central Government and officials from the Education Funding Agency are expected to visit the schools in the next few weeks to assess the detailed work needed and timescales for delivery.

The programme will run from 2015 to 2021.