January 2009

Last week I was shown around the new Monkseaton High School currently being built in the grounds of the existing school.  I had seen the building work often while driving past.  I was keen to have a closer look – and a truly impressive sight it is.

I knew the building was going to be innovative – the only one of its kind in the country.  But the sheer size of the new building is breathtaking.  Broadly an oval of teaching areas, it is built around two huge gym areas.  Light, open and airy it builds on the best design of the most modern of schools.  Having helped to secure the funding, I wanted to be sure taxpayers are getting value for money.  They certainly are.

Monkseaton High is one of the 200 fastest improving schools in the country.  It is at the forefront of educational thinking under the superb leadership of Headteacher Dr Paul Kelley.  While I was there someone from the International School in Hong Kong was visiting to see what they can learn.

But there’s another side to building new schools.  With around 200 people working on the new building, projects like this keep construction workers in employment.  Some of the workmen live locally.  Some children at the school are not only getting a brand new school but their parents are building it for them.

With £210 million coming into North Tyneside to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school under the Building Schools for the Future programme, that investment will sustain employment and give local children and our local community schools we can be proud of.  My message to the Government in difficult global economic times is this – keep the investment coming as we build a better future.