Schools and learning centre to receive £1.7m payout

Four schools and a learning centre are set to receive more than £1.7m of government funding for new building projects.

Derbyshire County Council's cabinet has approved payouts for schemes at Shirebrook Academy, Norbriggs Primary School, the Lea Green Centre, Thornsett Primary School and Eureka Primary School.

The projects all aim to either provide new pupil places or support youngsters with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Alex Dale, cabinet member for education, said the funding would improve facilities at the four schools and provide SEND children with "opportunities to improve their confidence, resilience and mental health".

Shirebrook Academy currently has 830 students but its roll is expected to rise by 200 over the next three years, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

It is set to receive a £573,087 remodel to accommodate the extra students, which will include a breakout space and four additional teaching spaces.

Norbriggs Primary School in Maston Moor will receive £215,000 towards a £2,550,000 expansion project for additional pupils.

Thornsett Primary School in New Mills will also receive £335,580 to help build a multi-purpose pavilion in the grounds which will be used as an 'intervention space' for children with SEND and a forest school room for all pupils.

Eureka Primary School in Swadlincote will receive £300,000 towards the cost of a new £1.8m block which will include three classrooms.

And the Lea Green Learning and Development Centre has been awarded £308,000 for a new high ropes course which will include a fully wheelchair-accessible track from the centre.

Dale said: "I'm very pleased our cabinet has approved this important funding which allows us to continue our ongoing work to provide improved access for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities at our Lea Green Centre.

"The new facilities at Lea Green will mean that children with SEND have the same opportunities to improve their confidence, resilience and mental health in a unique outdoor setting outside the traditional classroom learning environment.

"And the other four projects will mean much better facilities for students at four of our schools."

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