Leeds primary school places saved as £720k secured for urgent repairs
60 children were at risk of being displaced
Pupils will be taught in new classrooms after housing developers paid almost £720,000 to help with school improvements.
A 37-year-old building at Manston Primary School in east Leeds will be replaced after Leeds City Council received the funds.
The council said 60 children were at risk of being displaced due to building defects at the school on Dennil Road.
The cash will be allocated from contributions made by companies behind housing developments on nearby Manston Lane.
A council report said: “The current modular building is 37 years old and showing signs of failure, this being evidenced in the floor, ceilings and roof.
“Replacement of the current modular building would ensure there is continued and adequate accommodation for year five and six children at Manston Primary.”
Education contributions are agreed with housing firms as part of section 106 planning agreements with the council.
Funds for the Manton upgrade came from Bellway Homes, Gladedale Limited, Avant Homes and Ben Bailey Homes Yorkshire.
The report said the school had absorbed additional demand for places created by the nearby developments.
The report said: “As of October 2024, 98 primary-aged pupils were living in the housing developments, seven of whom were attending Manston Primary School.
“There are no other eligible school expansion or improvement schemes towards which these S106 education contributions could be directed.”
The full cost of replacing the building was set to exceed the £718,069 paid by the developers.
The remainder would be financed with a School Condition Allocations grant from the Department for Education.