Nearly £6million in government funding will help pay for much-needed classroom improvements at four Barnet schools this year.
Hasmonean High School one of the country's top comprehensives received nearly £2million to replace temporary classrooms at its girls' campus in Page Street, Mill Hill.
Headteacher Rabbi David Radomsky said: "We are absolutely delighted to hear that our application for funding from the Department for Education and Skills to improve facilities at our girls' site has been successful.
"This will enable us to replace our old and dilapidated Portacabins with a modern two-storey classroom block, together with a much-needed refurbishment of the school hall."
The cash, announced just before Christmas by Schools Minister Catherine Ashton from the Government's modernisation fund, includes £1.2million for a performing arts centre at Finchley Catholic High School in Woodside Lane. Another £769,000 will help St Michael's Catholic Grammar in Nether Street, North Finchley, refurbish its maths department. High-flying grammar school Henrietta Barnet, in Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, has been awarded two instalments of cash: £709,000 for new staff and drama facilities, and £1,444,000 for rewiring its historic Bigwood House.
However, while the money is good news for the schools involved, many of Barnet's other schools still suffer inadequate conditions. Barnet Council has a rolling programme of capital improvements to buildings but councillors admit change is slow.
December 31, 2001 12:36
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