Saint John Houghton selected as part of Government's School Rebuilding programme

Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy is set to be either rebuilt or substantially refurbished as part of the Government’s School Rebuilding programme.

The school is on the list of 239 schools that will benefit, the Government has announced.

The Government has said that it will address blocks in schools in need of replacement or major refurbishment, which will be determined during a feasibility stage.

The new projects build on the 161 that have previously been announced, with construction works now nearing completion on the most advanced sites. It means in total, 400 out of 500 schools and sixth forms have now been selected for rebuilds through the 10-year School Rebuilding Programme.

Steve Brogan, Headteacher at Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy, said everyone at the school was delighted.

He said: “We are absolutely thrilled as a school community to have heard that we are part of this project. It is a huge boost for our staff, students and their families, who really deserved this and we are extremely excited by what will come of this. It is also much needed and will really lift our school, at a time when we are doing all we can to give our students a great experience of education at Saint John Houghton Catholic Voluntary Academy.”

Kevin Gritton, Chief Executive of the St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, said this was fantastic news for Saint John Houghton and two other Trust schools that have also been selected – Saint Benedict in Derby and St Philip Howard in Glossop.

He said: “This really is amazing news, even more so as only 239 schools have been announced nationally for the project. This will be a massive boost for all three schools that have been selected and for their communities. We are delighted for them.”