A major programme of investment begun under the previous Labour Government is delivering new and improved schools for children and young people across Newcastle.
Eight schools are benefiting from the latest phase of Newcastle’s Building Schools for the Future programme, providing pupils and teachers with modern facilities and replacing or substantially improving ageing school buildings.
Building Schools for the Future was established by the Labour Government to transform secondary school buildings across England and provide communities with modern educational facilities.
Newcastle was among the authorities to benefit, securing investment for a major programme of rebuilding and refurbishment across the city.
The latest phase includes new and improved facilities at Sir Charles Parsons School, St Mary’s Catholic School, Gosforth Junior High School and Walker Technology College, alongside improvements at four further schools.
The investment is now providing a lasting legacy for Newcastle at a time when the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Coalition Government has brought the wider Building Schools for the Future programme to an end.
Newcastle Labour believes the new facilities demonstrate the difference sustained public investment in education can make to children, families and communities.
Modern school buildings provide better environments for pupils to learn and teachers to teach, while investment in schools can also support the regeneration of the communities around them.
Council Leader Cllr Nick Forbes said: “These fantastic new and improved schools are a lasting legacy of the investment in education made by the previous Labour Government.
“Children across Newcastle are now benefiting from modern facilities which will serve our communities for many years to come.
“The decision by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat Government to end Building Schools for the Future means many communities elsewhere will not see the investment that Newcastle has benefited from.
“Here in Newcastle, Labour will make the most of this investment and continue working to give every child the best possible start in life, whatever their background or where in our city they grow up.”