A PLAN for refurbishment and a new sports hall at a Kidderminster school is going ahead.

Baxter College has been selected as one of the latest 239 schools that will be rebuilt or substantially refurbished as part of the government's School Rebuilding Programme.

The funding for Baxter College will deliver a new sports hall, that will double as an exam centre, and a complete refurbishment of the old middle school to incorporate it into the main school.

The Baxter project is set to be completed in three to five years.

The programme will provide the funding to transform 500 schools across England and is backed by £1.8 billion of government funding this financial year. Each school in the programme has been selected based on the condition of its buildings.

Mr Garnier met with the principal of Baxter College, Matthew Carpenter, last week to congratulate the school on the funding.

Mr Carpenter said: "We are delighted with this fantastic news. It is an opportunity to provide a modern learning environment that is fit for purpose for our students, complimenting the main building which has served our community for over 80 years, and providing a school that will serve future generations.”

Mr Garnier said: “The team at Baxter do an incredible job and I am so pleased that their hard work and exciting vision for the school will be achieved

“This investment will improve the experience of students at Baxter – helping them to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential.”

Kidderminster’s Baxter College is part of the Severn Academies Educational Trust, which worked with the school to put the multi-million-pound bid together.

Alison Powell, chief operating officer for the trust, said: “The School Rebuilding Programme is a very competitive process, with lots of school buildings in need of modernisation to provide quality, sustainable facilities for our young people and we are pleased to secure this opportunity for Baxter College.

“We are keen to develop a built environment that will enhance educational experiences as well as providing a first-class facility for our wider community.”