HEADTEACHERS were celebrating today after learning their schools are to undergo a multi-million pound revamp.

Six secondary schools and two special schools have officially been told they will receive a share of £82.9 million to rebuild and refurbish secondary schools under the Government’s flagship Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

Under the programme, Westhoughton High, Bolton Muslim Girls School and Sharples High will be rebuilt.

And Little Lever, Smithills and Ladybridge schools will have either new buildings added or undergo major refurbishments.

Rumworth and Firwood special schools will also benefit from the cash — Firwood is set to relocate to a new site in Breightmet.

The news was welcomed by Cllr Cliff Morris, leader of Bolton Council.

He said: “This truly is a once in a lifetime opportunity to transform education in Bolton for our children and young people.

“The funding will also bring a wealth of benefits for everyone in Bolton, in terms of community facilities at schools and opportunities for Bolton firms to support the appointed construction company’s local supply chain.”

The cash award will pay for the first phase of the town’s BSF plans, which should be completed by 2012. More than £160 million is expected to be made available for two more phases of development, which will include improvements to the rest of the borough’s high schools. Bolton is one of just a handful of authorities to receive funding after it was shortlisted from 100.

Headteachers at the chosen schools, especially those at the three schools that are to be rebuilt, are all celebrating today.

Philip Hart, head of Westhoughton School, hopes that the rebuilding programme will further enhance the school’s place at the heart of the community.

He said: “This is very good news and a positive end to the year. As part of it we are looking to link in with health resources and look to give the community a fantastic civic amenity.”

Mukesh Singadia, deputy headteacher of Sharples, said: “Having a new school built is a dream come true for headteachers. We can create a learning environment for the future to meet all learners’ needs, including those in the local community.”

Mubaaruk Ibrahim, headteacher at Bolton Muslim Girls School, said: “It is great for us as our school has lacked some of the basic facilities that we need. It is great that our girls will have access to specialist sport facilities and teaching rooms.”

Headteachers at the remaining schools in the first phase of building are now busy planning their improvements.

Smithills headteacher Chris Roberts said: “The future is a very exciting one. It will see Smithills at the forefront of the secondary education within the town.”

Kevin Wilkinson, deputy headteacher of Rumworth School, said: “This scheme will benefit all of Bolton and we are very excited.”

Philip Hewitt, head of Little Lever, said: “It is wonderful news. It will have a huge impact on the lives of our young people and the wider community. There is a lot of hard work to come, but we are really looking forward to it.”

Ladybridge headteacher Hilary D’Arcy said: “Ladybridge is now poised for an absolutely fabulous future. We are passionate about learning and teaching and this gives us a powerful opportunity to transform young people’s lives. We will be working actively and creatively with our community partners.”