Delayed work on £14m school expansion starts

Work on a £14m extension project at a secondary school in Bingley has started.

Plans to expand Bingley Grammar School were first approved in 2021 with an expected cost of £6.1m, however rising prices and changes to the scheme has seen it rise to £14.3m.

The work, funded by the Department for Education (DfE), will create 18 new classrooms and replace older rooms and temporary buildings.

The project is creating space for up to 150 extra students and 24 specialist places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

These improvements follow earlier work that included turning a former music block into SEND provision and replacing a derelict swimming pool with three new classrooms.

Bradford Council is leading the project, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A report to the authority last year said the rising costs were down to the need for more classrooms than initially planned and "rising construction, labour and material costs".

Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council's executive member for children and families, said the work would give young people a "great place" to learn.

"The new classrooms and improved SEND support will make a big difference for families across Bingley," she said.

"It's a very exciting step for the school and the whole community."

School head Luke Weston said seeing the work begin was a "proud moment" for everyone.

"These new buildings will help our students learn and feel comfortable in school," he said.

"We are very thankful for the support we have had and we cannot wait to see the new building grow."

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