Plans to transform a number of Sheffield schools are back on track after millions of pounds of Government funding for the project was finally approved.

Sheffield City Council has drawn up a long term commitment to transforming learning and teaching in all its primary schools.

This includes plans to expand a number of schools in the city to help improve learning, while also helping to address the booming birth rate in some areas.

Now the Government has committed £5.9m of funding to the scheme for the next year with a further £8.3m for the year after from its Primary Capital Programme. This will run alongside the Building Schools for the Future Programme, which is currently transforming secondary schools across the city.

However, this scheme was held up last year after Government Ministers deemed more work was needed on Sheffield’s bid for funding from the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

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But now ministers have approved the city's plans and Council leaders have welcomed this news. Cllr Andrew Sangar, Sheffield City Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Lifelong Learning said: "Obviously it is good that the scheme is back on track and that we can continue with our rebuilding programme.

"However, it would have been helpful not to have been suddenly hit with the delay, which came out of the blue for us. At the end of the day it is the children themselves who could be the ones to suffer as a result of this. We just have to hope this delay has not had any adverse impact."

The funds, which can only be used for building works, will be used to improve pupils' attainment by replacing old and inappropriate class rooms and to expand school sites to accommodate growing birth rates.

The authority is also looking to replace a number of short term structures that have past their useful life and would cost too much to repair.

There are also plans to invest in a number of primary school kitchens across the city due to the increasing food nutritional requirements and the impact that refurbished kitchens can have on school meals.

Meanwhile a programme of heating replacements, rewires and remedial works to roofs and windows will continue at selected schools.

(CD/JM)