Chaddesden school to undergo £2m repairs

A Derbyshire school which was due to be rebuilt under the government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme is to receive £2m of improvements.

Education Secretary Michael Gove MP axed Labour's BSF programme in July 2010 in a bid to save money, including plans for Lees Brook Community College.

The Chaddesden school's head teacher Phil Dover said repairs such as replacing collapsed drains were urgent.

Derby City Council is funding the £2m, six-month schedule of works.

The list of work includes fire precaution measures, some structural repairs, making sure asbestos is sealed off and contained and refurbishing the kitchens.

Mr Dover said: "Although it's a long list, most of the repairs will not substantially improve the appearance of the school and many areas will be left untouched.

"The repairs will help keep us open and ensure that we are safe while we wait for a new building."

The work is beginning during the school holidays and will continue into the autumn term until Christmas.

Mr Dover said classrooms would have to be moved around but the plan was to avoid sending pupils home while work was carried out.