A MULTI-MILLION dream scheme to transform a leading Chester school is banking on fundraising help from its pupils and parents.
The Catholic High School has already successfully secured a government grant of more than £3 million for a '21st Century' face lift at the busy site, with a further £406,000 already allocated to the school and the Local Education Authority (LEA).
That leaves £406,000 to be raised through a massive fundraising drive at the Hand-bridge school.
Recently appointed headteacher John Murray is confident that the school community will get behind the ambitious project.
He said: 'Over the next three years we have to raise more than £400,000 in order to release the government grant we so badly need to improve our school.
'In recent years we have set ourselves the task of raising just £10,000 each year towards the building fund. We have managed this through the hard work of our staff and our Parents' Association, and the generosity of our school community.
'But this is a far bigger challenge.' If successful the £4 million worth of building work will concentrate on upgrading facilities throughout the site, including improvement of the cramped conditions in the school's six form, which has recently increased from 160 to 200 pupils.
Accommodation for the older pupils was one of five areas highlighted as needing improvement in the school's last Ofsted report, that also included science facilities, drama, art and design technology.
Mr Murray, who is gearing up to do his bit on a sponsored cycle around Ireland this year, said: 'We have to make sure that the money is spent very well on improving these areas.
'The students themselves know what a huge difference investment in buildings can make to their studies. The contrast between the refitted science laboratories and the 'old' labs is dramatic. selena.o'donnell@cheshirenews.co.uk
