by Lorraine Gibson.

Five schools across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be transformed as part of the Department for Education’s (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme.
Following investment secured by BCP Council, Winchelsea Special School and Somerford Primary have been prioritised to receive investment in their buildings.
Highcliffe School, Corfe Hills School and Heathlands Primary Academy have also secured funding through their respective trusts.

The School Rebuilding Programme carries out major reconstruction and refurbishment projects across England, with buildings prioritised according to condition.
The 400 schools now in the programme were identified by the DfE from more than 1000 nominations received from councils and trusts across England.
Cllr Nicola Greene, portfolio holder for council priorities and delivery said: “We strive to ensure that every pupil enjoys going to school and experiences the best setting for their learning.
“We’ve worked with the schools and DfE to identify accommodation most in need of replacement or major refurbishment.
“Somerford Primary and Winchelsea are important in BCP’s schools offering, so I’m thrilled that the children learning at these can experience their sites transforming over the next few years.
“Hundreds of children and young people attending the successful academies will benefit from additional investment that further enhances the quality of their teaching and learning environments. I look forward to seeing all these exciting changes take place.”
Geoff Cherril, headteacher at Winchelsea added: “The whole school community is delighted.
“The children at Winchelsea School have significant SEND needs and we are looking forward to meeting these needs in a more appropriate environment. We are excited that the inclusion of therapeutic facilities, Post-16 accommodation and more flexible teaching spaces will allow us to continue to develop our school provision.
“As a community, we are extremely pleased that children with SEND will benefit from this project.”
Helen Frampton, headteacher at Somerford said: “We are delighted to have been successful.
“Our children deserve the best learning environment we can offer, and this rebuild project will help us to deliver this. We are excited to work with the DfE to bring our primary school together in one building and offer additional learning experiences for all pupils.”
Schools are provisionally allocated a place on the programme, subject to further due diligence, with projects planned for a delivery rate of approximately 50 a year.