£200m to rebuild region's schools

At least £200m is to be spent on improving school buildings, the government has announced.

The money will be shared among schools in Shropshire's Telford and Wrekin area following a bid made to the government in October.

Council Leader Keith Austin said it was a major scheme putting children and young people at the heart of everything the council does.

It is the largest single investment the area's schools have seen, he added.

'Vital role'

The money has come from the government's Building Schools for the Future scheme.

Councillor Austin said: "This is the catalyst for the transformation of education in the borough, where every school plays a vital role in the community, delivering a range of services throughout the day and into the evening."

The money will be spread between the Abraham Darby School for Performing Arts, which will be rebuilt as an academy on its existing site, and the Adams Grammar School which will be modernised.

New sports and classroom facilities will be built at the Blessed Robert Johnson Catholic College, Burton Borough School, Charlton School and Ercall Wood Technology College.

The Lord Silkin School is to be rebuilt and the Madeley Court School will be rebuilt as an academy.

Newport High School and the Phoenix School will be modernised and Southall School will get a new sports hall.