BUILDING Schools for the Future is a Government-backed fund that will regenerate schools across the country.

During the 15-year lifespan of the scheme, £45bn is being spent on rebuilding or renewing every one of the 3,500 secondary schools in England.

The plans released by Halton Borough Council will tap into £80-100m of this funding to develop a range of state-of-the-art school buildings.

Allied to these improvements are the restructuring of secondary education in line with the Government's education reforms.

The funding encourages far-reaching changes rather than short-term repairs.

In particular, councils are encouraged to focus on academies, new options at 14-19 and provision for special needs.

Halton High in Runcorn could become a Specialist Academy for 1,150 pupils and Widnes' special schools, Chesnut Lodge and Ashley School, will be rehoused in the grounds of Bankfield School and Wade Deacon High respectively.

Halton council chief executive, David Parr, said: 'Building Schools for the Future will allow Halton to create a modern, vibrant, inclusive learning environment in inspirational buildings.

'We're talking about diversity of choice for parents.

'We're offering a faith school, an academy and local authority schools.'

Building work is expected to start in 2012 with the new buildings available in 2012-13.