SWINDON Council is to spend £2.5m on repairing the town's schools.

Work will start next month following recommendations by the Education Partnership Steering Group, the new body which has been set up to help run Swindon's ailing local education authority.

Some crumbling buildings are in dire need of repair. Pupils at Moredon Junior School in Akers Way were told earlier this month £160,000 was going to be spent after students had been forced to wear coats and gloves to keep warm during lessons in the winter.

The council's ratification committee, which meets on April 10, will be invited to formally back the decision.

Andrew Nye, chairman of the Swindon Association of Primary Heads, welcomed the news. He said: "This new open approach is a welcome step in the right direction. Bringing our school buildings into good condition will help all teachers improve the learning environment for our pupils."

Peter Wells, chairman of Swindon Association of Secondary Heads, said: "The Partnership Group has also agreed that all Swindon schools will have a new condition survey during this year.

"This up to date information will be used to prioritise the repairs programme for 2003/04. We have also agreed that all schools will be involved in the new survey."

Council leader Mike Bawden said: "Elected members have responded very positively to our Ofsted Action Plan. We are committed to fair and transparent decision making in all areas but particularly in areas where we need to prioritise."

Meanwhile, staff in 12 Swindon schools are being rewarded with cash bonuses for helping pupils achieve higher standards.

The school achievement awards, worth up to £5,500 for a typical primary school and up to £25,000 for a typical secondary school, were announced by School Standards Minister Stephen Timms.

Gorse Hill Infants school has received the award two years in a row.

Head teacher Priska Da Cunha, said: "I never expected to get it second time around. I'm really excited, this is terrific news and the money will be divided amongst all the staff."

Some of the work in the pipeline

Eastrop Infants School, replacement windows, £42,000

Covingham Park Infants School, renew pitched roof, block 1, £20,500; replacement boiler plant, £100,000

Drove Primary School, replacement windows, junior, phase 1 £40,000; upgrade glazing to corridor, block 2 £10,000; replace fencing £10,000

Even Swindon Infants School, reroof nursery, £27,000

Ferndale Infants School, repairs to electrical installation, £70,000; internal toilet refurbishments, £39,000

Lawn Infants School, replacement windows, phase 1, £50,000

Churchfields School, rewire all buildings (Grade 1), phase 2, £150,000

Dorcan Technology College, replace windows, main block, £315,000; replace window, science block, phase 2, £75,000; replace windows, technology block, £200,000; replace windows, communications block, £140,000