A �42m repair and modernisation programme is being proposed for schools in York.

It will comprise a �17m package to provide four new schools and �25m for maintenance and repairs.

Councillors will look at the initiative on 24 February.

Executive member for education Janet Looker said: "We are determined to improve the fabric of our schools and provide an excellent teaching and learning environment for staff and students."

PFI schemes

New buildings are proposed for St Oswald's, St Barnabas and Hob Moor primary schools.

A new special needs primary school will also be built on the Hob Moor site in Acomb.

These will be funded under the government's Private Finance Initiative, in which the schools are built by the private sector and "rented" to local authorities.

The remaining part of the package will see repairs costing �11m over three years, which have been identified through a survey of school buildings.

The rest of the money will be used for specific school projects, such as modernisation of the over-subscribed Fulford School and extensions for Dunnington and Ralph Butterfield Schools.

These projects will be funded through central and local government.