The multi-million pound Government scheme will merge schools, re-vamp current buildings and modernise education sites across the borough with work starting as early as 2010.

The £150m scheme have now been approved by town hall bosses and have been sent to the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) for consideration.

Under the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, the investment would be the biggest programme that St Helens Council has ever managed.The plans would involve merging the two catholic secondary schools - St Cuthbert's and St Augustine's - into a £20m learning campus for the community on the St Cuthbert's site.

Proposals to merge St Aelred's and Newton High are still under consultation, if passed a special academy would be built to cater for the 1350 students.

A £16.5m modernisation of De La Salle School to cater for 1200 pupils aged between 11 and 16 years of age.

Haydock Sports College will receive £16m for a full refurbishment and £5m will be used to rebuild Penkford Technology school.

A £22.5m scheme to rebuild and remodel Rainford High Technology College and Rainhill High will receive £13m for new build and refurbishment.

Sutton High Sports College also looks to gain £17m for a rebuild and a new site for the sixth form.

A specialist facility at Mill Green Learning Campus could be built for 45 young people aged 14 -19 with complex needs.

Work already began on Cowley Language College in October 2007 and the new education centre looks set to finished by September 2009 with the further education buildings completed by September 2010.

Susan Richardson, director for children and young people's services said: "This is a tremendous investment into the borough's schools and into local communities, which will support the ongoing regeneration and modernisation of St Helens.
"This is however not just about buildings and facilities - critical to the success of the whole programme will be the transformation of teaching and learning in high schools, and the aim is to lift the achievement of our young people to another level in future years.
"Officers are working hard to deliver one of the most ambitious and exciting projects the borough will ever see."