All the North East schools to be rebuilt or revamped…

All the North East schools to be rebuilt or revamped under latest Government funding round

A number of schools across the North East are set to be rebuilt or revamped, the Government has announced.

In his first announcement as Education Secretary, James Cleverly has confirmed that cash will be available through the latest round of the School Rebuilding Programme. And schools in areas including County Durham, Newcastle, Northumberland, Sunderland, North Tyneside and Gateshead have been approved for investment.

Work to deliver the projects will start immediately and will include the revamp of old buildings and the provision of facilities such as new sports halls, music rooms, science labs and dining areas. The new school buildings will be net-zero carbon when in operation.

Since 2010, around 500 schools across the country have been refurbished or rebuilt under Government programmes. In the latest round, 10 North East schools have been added to the list. Scroll down to see the full list for the region .

Education Secretary James Cleverly said: “Our School Rebuilding Programme is already making a difference to the lives of pupils and their teachers. It is creating greener school sites that are fit for the future and that local communities can be proud of. We know how important it is to have high-quality school facilities. That is why we continue to invest billions in our rebuilding programme.”

Among the schools due to get new facilities are two crumbling secondaries in Durham - Framwellgate School and St Leonard's RC School. Andy Byers, headteacher of Framwellgate, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Framwellgate School Durham has been chosen to be part of the School Rebuilding Programme.

“Our school was designed and built in the 1960s and is old and tired and very poorly designed. With a new building we will be able to give our students facilities and a learning environment which will inspire them, and our staff, in the working environment they deserve.”

Mary Kelly Foy, MP for the City of Durham, who has campaigned for both schools to be rebuilt, said: “Today’s news is fantastic for the City of Durham. Since being elected I have worked closely with the leadership of both St Leonard's and Framwellgate to highlight the serious disruption that their crumbling school buildings have been causing to pupils and staff.

"This is exciting news for students, staff, and parents in Durham and I am incredibly pleased that we have now taken a big step towards rebuilding both schools. I want to pay tribute to both schools for tirelessly fighting for better facilities for their pupils over recent years- knowing their staff and students deserved better.”