Biggest investment ever in Tameside's schools

Date published: 03 December 2009

Tameside is going to boast some of the most high-tech schools in the country thanks to a further £120m investment.

All 19 local secondary schools, academies and learning centres are now going to benefit from new or remodelled schools as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme after the Government this week announced it was going to increase the borough’s funding from £180m to £300m.

Tameside was one of only 35 councils nationally invited to submit applications for further cash at this stage based on its strong track record for delivery.

The new funding will mean that Audenshaw, Copley, Longdendale, St Thomas More, All Saints, Fairfield and West Hill will join the borough’s other secondary schools in being significantly remodelled or rebuilt over the next few years. They will also receive significant investment in their ICT.

Tameside Council Executive Leader Cllr Roy Oldham, announcing the news, said: “This combined £300 total BSF grant is funding the biggest educational build programme this borough has seen, or is ever likely to see; its sheer size means it easily dwarfs all previous projects by the sheer scale of investment.

“Competition for the funding was extremely fierce but the council has been recognised as high performing by the Audit Commission and this, together with an excellent track record for delivery, has meant that we have once again been successful in securing funding to invest in our young people’s futures.”

The new projects will be delivered through the Tameside Local Education Partnership, which shares the council’s commitment to significantly improve the aspirations of all students and their families through new ways of learning and teaching and inspirational buildings.

Cllr Ged Cooney, executive member for lifelong learning, said: "We are already one of the leading council's nationally in delivering the BSF programme and this huge further investment means that all our secondary schools will benefit from advanced, state-of-the-art buildings and amenities to help give our young people the very best educational start in life.

"This is not just good news for schools but also for the local economy. The Tameside LEP - who will be doing the construction work, ICT and facilities management services - have committed to spending 55% of the budget in our local area.

"They are also providing apprenticeships and real work experience and have already implemented their 'Business Action on Homelessness' programme which means they will offer work to at least one homeless person on each site."