Construction work at Mesne Lea Primary School in Salford has started, paving the way for 39 more schools in the North West to be rebuilt under the government’s priority school building programme (PSBP).

The school is 1 of worth £2.4 billion, which will address the needs of 260 of the schools in England in the worst condition.

Thanks to the PSBP, pupils and teachers attending the school are set to benefit from a £3.9 million, fit-for-purpose rebuild that will improve the existing outdated facilities.

The new 2-storey primary school will include a large multi-purpose hall, and a shared teaching space between reception and nursery for combined groups.

Schools Minister David Laws said: “The start of construction work at Mesne Lea Primary School marks a key milestone for the priority school building programme in the North West and an exciting phase in the development of the school.

“Delivering great new schools will help to build a stronger economy and a fairer society, so that every young person across the region can get on in life.

“Vital building work is taking place at schools in the worst state across the country. We are making good progress with 16 school buildings now open – 55 are under construction and the remaining projects are well into the development or planning stages.”.