BOLTON schools are celebrating a double boost today after hearing they will get an army of extra teachers to cut infant class sizes and more money for older pupils.

The Government has agreed to pay for 60 extra full and part-time teachers, more than anywhere else in Greater Manchester, so Bolton can meet government targets on infant class sizes.

Primaries will also get another seven classrooms to cut the 3,588 pupils taught in classes with more than 30 children to 775 by September next year.

The primary schools expected to build an extra classroom are Egerton, Bolton Parish CE, St George's CE, St Simon and St Jude CE, St Thomas Halliwell CE, HIghfield and St Michael CE.

Announcement

Education chiefs have until September 2001 to ensure no five, six or seven-year-old is taught in classes over 30.

Today's Government announcement of £150 million extra for primary schools nationally means that Bolton will get an extra £779,000 to pay for extra teachers and £628,000 for more classrooms.

Bury will get an extra £1,082 million for 49 extra teachers £199,000 for three extra classrooms.

Optimistic Bolton education chiefs started recruiting ahead of the Government announcement fearing it could lead to a national shortage of infants teachers.

It comes hot on the heels of news that an unexpected windfall will mean Bolton secondary schools do not face cuts of £5 per pupil next year after all.

More than £200,000 earmarked for schools music lessons will be redirected into secondary schools after the Government decided to foot the bill for Bolton Music Centre and give it an extra £198,000 to expand.

Only last week secondary heads were told the council could not afford to give them a rise to cover inflation because of the higher than expected teachers' pay award.

But after reporting the windfall to Bolton's Education and Arts committee, delighted Director Margaret Blenkinsop said: "The future looks much brighter than it did this time last week."

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