A Hetton councillor has welcomed news of a £13.5m programme that will rebuild an ailing school in his ward.
Councillor James Blackburn, who has served the area for more than 15 years, said the decision by Sunderland City Council’s ruling cabinet to approve plans to rebuild Hetton Primary would deliver ‘significant benefits for young people in the area’.
The Labour Group member believes that demolition of the 1960s school, which is in need of major refurbishment and is currently operating above capacity in the majority of year groups, will raise aspirations of young people in Hetton.
He said: “I’m delighted with today’s decision. It’s something I – like many other people in the area – have wanted to see for some time. The school is 60 years old, and though staff deliver a fantastic, nurturing environment for students, the building is very tired and becoming more and more costly to run.
“In the past there were campaigns to close the school, something I campaigned to stop from happening, so today feels like a huge step forward, to have secured funding that will deliver a modern learning environment that will deliver real benefits to families in Hetton.”
He added: “Helping our young people realise their potential is something I am very passionate about, and as a Labour Group, we are all very much committed to investing in the next generation. This project will transform the learning opportunities of Hetton’s youngest residents, ensuring they learn in a school that is fit for purpose, and I’m thrilled about it.”
Around £4.9million has been allocated by council chiefs for a new build on the existing Hetton School site. As well as additional classrooms for primary aged children, the new school will create early years provision for two to five-year-olds and create room for further school expansion as new housing is built in the area.
In total, the proposal will increase school capacity by 70 places to 210.
“We’ve seen investment in Hetton Lyons, Hetton School and Easington Lane Primary School in recent years, so I’m delighted that we are now committing to the same for Hetton Primary. Every young person in this city deserves the best possible start, and I will always campaign to ensure that we do all we can as a Labour Group to ensure people in the Hetton ward get what they deserve – that’s only the best.”
As well as rebuilding Hetton Primary School, plans to rebuild Sunningdale School in Springwell have also been given the green light. Sunningdale, a 110-place special school for children with learning and physical difficulties, is also operating over capacity and ‘significant capital refurbishment’ would have been required to bring it up to date.
Both school projects were financially approved as part of the council’s wider budget plans earlier this year. Detailed plans will now be drawn up for the schools, and planning applications for both schemes are expected to be submitted later this year. It is expected the new schools will open their doors in 2022.