Council begins £500m schools plan

The first part of a £500m scheme to transform secondary schools across County Durham is due to get under way.

Sedgefield Community College, which had buildings dating back to 1956, is to be rebuilt as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme.

Students, teachers and council officials will take part in an official groundbreaking ceremony later.

The new facilities for 850 students are designed to be energy efficient and maximise the use of natural light.

'Aim high'

The work will continue over the next 10 years with schools in South West Durham and Newton Aycliffe being next in the programme.

This will be followed by North Durham, Weardale and Teesdale and finally Chester-le-Street and Durham City.

Councillor Claire Vasey, Durham County Council's cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "We want to maximise the chances young people have to aim high, achieve and be successful.

"This groundbreaking ceremony marks the start of a transformation in education, not just for Sedgefield Community College, but for secondary schools across County Durham."