A Barrow school building condemned over two years ago will be rebuilt.
Sacred Heart Primary School staff and pupils had to move out of the Lumley Street premises in January 2023 to temporary accommodation.
Children have been taught in the temporary accommodation and some at St Bernard’s School in Ratings Lane.
However, Barrow and Furness MP Michelle Scrogham, said the Government has now confirmed that the school will be rebuilt.
The Department for Education said the process had been started to find the contractor to undertake the work.
The Barrow and Furness MP said she had been working closely with Sacred Heart since her election and set up a steering group to co-ordinate the support provided to the school.
Mrs Scrogham said: “I am pleased that the Department for Education has now confirmed that the procurement process has been started for the rebuild of Sacred Heart.
“This puts us on track for a fantastic new school for this community on the original Lumley Street site. This will be funded through the national school rebuilding programme.
“I have been working closely with Sacred Heart School since I was elected.
“There is no doubt that the school head, Simone Beach, staff, and children at Sacred Heart were badly let down.
“This is probably the most shocking example in the whole country of how our school buildings have been neglected and left to rot. I cannot praise the school enough for everything they are doing to get through this terrible situation and ensure the children’s needs are always put first.
“The steering group I set up has been working to support the school and find solutions to the ongoing challenges they are facing. I’ve also kept in regular contact with the Education Secretary to ensure she is up to speed on progress
“We are now in a better place with a clear path to a new school.”
She said there had also been progress with:
- Extra funds committed by the government for additional staffing.
- KS1 children moving into their new temporary accommodation on the Lumley Street site.
- KS2 children on course to move into the new temporary block at St Bernards in September.
- New models for curriculum catch up and recovery introduced.
But, she added: “The situation continues to cause significant issues for the staff and children with additional costs incurred, and teaching time lost.
“I will continue to do all that I can – working with the school and the steering group – to ensure the school gets what it needs and to make sure that the rebuild is kept on track. “
