A cash boost of £89 million to transform five secondary and one special school is due to be considered by Bristol City Council next week.

At its meeting on December 6, Cabinet will be considering the replacement or improvement of buildings at Ashton Park, St Bede's, St Bernadette, St Mary Redcliffe and Temple Schools and Florence Brown Special School.

If approved, the plans will mark the completion of either rebuilding or significantly refurbishing every secondary school in Bristol. It will make Bristol the first authority to achieve this under the government's 'Building Schools for the Future' programme.

Executive Member for Children and Young People Councillor Derek Pickup said: "We have been working very closely with all the schools involved in the latest wave of Building Schools for the Future funding to produce the best programme of refurbishment possible, with the funding available.


"This funding will mark the final stage of our secondary school rebuilding and refurbishment programme. It's a huge opportunity for these schools and will transform the learning experience for more than 6000 students in the city."

Proposals to improve the school buildings include a new building to house design technology, music, drama, art and science classes at Ashton Park, significant refurbishment of the existing 1930s building, a new two-storey building for Cotham including a new entrance for students and improved reception and social areas and a new sports hall and facilities for science, technology music and drama at St Bede's.

There is also the potential for a floodlit all-weather sports pitch new music, drama and art facilities, new dining and social areas and a covered courtyard for St Bernadette. This will include a new building next to the gymnasium.

A new classroom block to house science, technology, art, music, drama and special educational needs next to the existing hall for St Mary Redcliffe and Temple. An existing teaching block would be removed.

Other proposals include a complete new building with sports hall for Florence Brown Special School. There will also be an open centre, library and performance space with 18 classrooms. Surplus land would be sold. Additionally, it has been agreed that a 15 bed residential hostel will form part of the Florence Brown rebuild. Funds from the sale of Kingsdon Manor Special School would be used to pay for rebuilding.

Around £9m will be allocated to improve ICT equipment across the schools.

(GK/JM)