A Merseyside primary school in dire need of repairs has been given a new lifeline.
Lydiate Primary School had to close for a week in 2019 due to the safety of the building with parents and teachers becoming concerned about its deteriorating state. And in December last year, Sefton MP Bill Esterson spoke of the declining condition of the surrounding buildings at Education Questions in the House of Commons.
But now a letter from the Secretary of State for Education has confirmed the school, on Lambshear Lane in Lydiate, will be benefit from cash from the latest round of Government funding.
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The money will be made available via the School Rebuilding Programme a grant scheme that undertakes major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at schools and sixth-form colleges across England. It is not known how much money the school will receive or if a full refurbishment of the building will be undertaken.
However, Mr Esterson has said he is "optimistic" the Government will fund a full refurbishment of the school.
The letter said: "We are delighted to inform you that, following careful consideration, the following school in your constituency has been prioritised for the School Rebuilding Programme. We will replace or refurbish one or more buildings at the school below as appropriate for the condition of the buildings on the site.
"This will help transform the educational environment and benefit pupils at the school for decades to come."
In a post on his Facebook page, Mr Esterson said: "Confirmation from ministers that Lydiate Primary School is to receive funding under the School Rebuilding Programme. Slight caveat as always that the letter to me from the minister speaks of replacing or refurbishing one or more buildings.
"But as the school is in desperate need of a complete rebuild and that was the basis for the bid, I am optimistic that this is what the government will fund. I've asked more questions about Lydiate Primary School and written more letters to ministers about the school than about almost anything else in the last 5 years, so I am delighted at the news.
"The government is only funding the complete rebuilding of 50 schools per year under the Schools Rebuilding Programme out of 24,000 in England, so there was a one in 480 year chance of success. Great news for Lydiate and great news for children and staff."
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