South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative schools chief has unveiled a £29.3m package of school improvements.
The proposed programme, spread over three years, includes:
- Approval of £2m investment at Wick school, £4m at Hambrook school and £1m at Filton Hill school;
- £7m over three years for planned maintenance for high priority roofing, boiler replacement and rewiring work;
- A new Sure Start Children’s centre and nursery in Staple Hill;
- £4.6m of secondary school investment;
- £1m of remodelling work at St Michael’s school in Stoke Gifford;
- Acquisition of land adjacent to Mangotsfield primary school to allow for future school improvements;
- £2.3m to ensure enough places for the increased pupil numbers entering primary schools over the next three years.
The schemes at Wick and Hambrook were identified by the authority’s Cabinet back in 2009 as next in line to be approved once funding became available.
Cllr Sheila Cook (Con, Almondsbury), Conservative Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said:
“I am really pleased to be able to give the communities of Wick, Hambrook, Stoke Gifford and Filton clear undertakings to transform their local primary schools.”
“Our priority is excellence in education and we are determined to work with our schools to create learning environments that unlock every child’s full potential.”
“The council’s major investment package coupled with the introduction of the pupil premium and the confirmed £19m transformation of Winterbourne International Academy shows that there is no sign of investment slowing in the district’s children and young people.”
Welcoming the announcement on Filton Hill school, Filton town councillor, John Tucker (Con, Conygre), said:
“The school is in real need of investment so it can be provided with new kitchen, office and classroom facilities that local children deserve and so this is really positive news for the Filton Hill school community.”
Wick school campaigner, Ben Stokes, said:
“This is great news for Wick School because they were promised back in 2009 that they were next on the council’s list to be refurbished. This announcement is a huge step forward in the long-running campaign for major investment in this wonderful village school.”
Winterbourne parish council chairman, Cllr Tim Bowles, said:
“The Hambrook school community have been waiting a long time for this announcement – it really is fantastic that the assurance we were given several years still stands and that this marvellous village school will be getting the investment it needs.”
The Cabinet will meet to approve the schools capital programme on Monday 14th February with confirmation by the Full Council on Wednesday 23rd February.
Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council
