AN opted out comprehensive school has received a massive Government handout.

George Tomlinson School in Kearsley, has been awarded £550,000 to re-vamp ageing parts of the school.

Bolton Council this year received £1.5 million for schemes in all the borough's schools. This includes a massive re-furbishment of St Gregory's School, Farnworth and the replacement of Pikes Lane School.

Almost every area of George Tomlinson School will benefit from the investment but emphasis will be on the re-vamping of the Technology, Science, Arts and Information Technology departments.

Head Mr Tony Buckley said: "More than 10 years ago, a local authority technology co-ordinator described the facilities for technology at George Tomlinson as being the worst in Bolton. "To us, while we were still under the control of the local authority, it appeared other schools in the borough were benefiting from investment and we weren't. These days as a grant maintained school, we apply for capital money under a system laid down by the Government and I'm delighted by our success.

"This investment will mean better facilities for pupils. Certainly it's the biggest news for this school since becoming grant maintained," he added.

Farnworth councillor Mrs Pauline Spencer, said: "Whilst I have nothing against George Tomlinson and many of us can understand why they went for grant maintained status, the whole system is flawed. "This year the local authority did reasonably well in securing Government money for capital projects, certainly far better than we have in the past, but there is no fairness in a system which improves standards for only some, selected children.

"An education system should be about improving standards for everyone, it should not be about putting money into a few selected schools," she added.

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