Three schools in the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust are set to be either rebuilt or substantially refurbished as part of the Government’s School Rebuilding programme.
Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy, in Derby, Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, in Ilkeston, and St Philip Howard Catholic Voluntary Academy, in Glossop, are on the list of 239 schools that will benefit, the Government has announced.
The Government has said that it will address blocks in need of replacement or major refurbishment, which will be determined during a feasibility stage.
The new projects build on the 161 that have previously been announced, with construction works now nearing completion on the most advanced sites. It means in total, 400 out of 500 schools and sixth forms have now been selected for rebuilds through the 10-year School Rebuilding Programme.
Louisa Morris, Headteacher at St Philip Howard, welcomed the news.
She said: “We are delighted that St Philip Howard has been named on the list of schools that will benefit from the Government’s School Rebuilding programme. This is exciting news for everyone connected with St Philip Howard and as a school at the heart of the local community, it is also fantastic news for Glossop. I am particularly pleased for our pupils, who are at the centre of everything we do and thoroughly deserve this.”
Steve Brogan, Headteacher at Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, said everyone at the school was delighted.
He said: “We are absolutely thrilled as a school community to have heard that we are part of this project. It is a huge boost for our staff, students and their families, who really deserved this and we are extremely excited by what will come of this. It is also much needed and will really lift our school, at a time when we are doing all we can to give our students a great experience of education at Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy.”
Hazel Boyce, Headteacher at Saint Benedict, said the news was a great boost for the school community.
She said: “We are delighted for everyone connected with the school after many years of campaigning and we are particularly pleased for our pupils, who deserve surroundings that match the excellent education and pastoral care that they receive at Saint Benedict.”
Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said this was fantastic news for all three schools.
He said: “This really is amazing news, even more so as only 239 schools have been announced nationally for the project. This will be a massive boost for all three schools that have been selected and for their communities. We are delighted for them.”
