PLANS to spend £4.5m on a Tynedale school on its way back from the brink of closure are set to be approved.

When it meets on Tuesday, Northumberland County Council’s strategic planning committee is set to agree to invest heavily in Haydon Bridge High School, which remains in special measures after being rated inadequate by Ofsted in 2014.

The £4.5m will be used for a major refurbishment project which would overhaul the buildings and outdoor facilities.

In addition to the renovation, the council seeks permission to redesign the front of the school, a revised car park and two new sports pitches.

The proposals also include the conversion of the existing design and technology block into a vocational centre, with an out-of-hours arrangement to allow night classes for adults. This centre will include a new toilet facility with six unisex toilets and a disabled toilet.

Other changes at the school would see the relocation of the library, learning resource centre, sixth form area and performing arts space.

The county council’s commitment to invest in Haydon Bridge came after the authority rescued the school from closure last May following the withdrawal of Bright Tribe Trust as academy sponsor the previous year.

Despite improvements being made at the school, the most recent Ofsted inspection in June revealed that more work needed to be done to move the school out of special measures.