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Six new schools in £60m plan

Tom Rowley
14/11/2002

SIX new secondary schools could be on the cards if a £60m bid is successful.

The deal for five or six schools, complete with libraries and clinics, would go ahead if a multi-million pound private finance initiative is accepted.

Cllr Joe Kitchen, cabinet deputy for lifelong learning, told a meeting of the Longdendale and Hattersley district assembly the bid, which would involve private finance in the construction of the facilities, was being prepared.

He said: "PFI is the only way we can get extra resources for new schools. We also know libraries and clinics need upgrading and if we can get into partnership with the libraries and health authorities to provide facilities along with the schools that will be a marvellous thing for the general public."

Tameside Council is currently talking to head teachers and governors across the board to pinpoint those schools in the worst condition.

Once negotiations are complete, the bid will be sent to the Department of Education and Skills in early January, and the council should know after a couple of months whether it has the green light to submit a more detailed bid in stage two.

The news follows completion of other PFI schemes including the revamped Pinfold primary school in Hattersley, which was officially opened by Cllr Kitchen and Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan last month.

The new look Arundale primary school in Mottram is also to be officially opened tomorrow (Friday) by local MP James Purnell and council executive leader Roy Oldham, who will unveil a commemorative plaque.

Cllr Kitchen also reported that Alder High School at Backbower, Hyde, was on course to be completed next January and open the following April.

All projects have been made possible by £16.8 million of PFI cash provided by the council's partners, the Royal Bank of Scotland.

Cllr Kitchen said the schools will also have facilities which can be used by the public. Alder will include a £1 million sports hall and it is hoped Tameside College will be able to organise computing courses in a computer suite, which can be sectioned off from the rest of the school.

Apart from eight classrooms, a 52-place nursery and library, the new look Arundale school will also boast a Sure Start room for parents with children under four and community rooms.

Cllr Oldham said: "Along with the recently opened Pinfold, Arundale epitomises what we believe is the future for all schools in Tameside.

"What we are trying to do with schemes like this is to make the facilities available for the surrounding community, not just the school.

"With the inclusion of community buildings and a Sure Start facility on-site at Arundale we are seeing that happen."