A SCHOOL is to receive almost a quarter of a million pounds from a housing developer.

Funds set aside for education from the Ropetackle North development in Shoreham will be heading towards Swiss Gardens School.

The school sits within the catchment area of Hyde Housing’s development.

Under the terms of planning approval, the firm has been told to set aside £247,960 to contribute to education in the local community.

The Section 106 legal agreement is anticipated to be signed and completed very shortly

Headteacher Lawrence Aughlin said: “A group of parents from Swiss Gardens have been successful in pressuring Hyde and Adur and Worthing council to secure that money coming towards us.

“We’re the closest school to the development.”

He added: “If we’re lucky enough to get the money we’ll be putting it towards our outdoor play activities and space.”

The school in Swiss Gardens in Shoreham teaches 430 pupils between the ages of four and 11.

A spokesman for Adur District Council said that the issue was brought to the attention of the local authority by the school and parents, at a recent meeting, and that the council then acted to push for an agreement to ring fence the funding for Swiss Gardens School.

After discussions with West Sussex County Council, it was finally agreed that the funding would be used to secure improvements for the school.

Leader of Adur District Council Councillor Neil Parkin said: “I am delighted that the county council has listened to the headteacher and parents at Swiss Gardens School and agreed to ring fence funds towards improvements to the school.

“I’m also pleased that, thanks to Adur District Council’s intervention and carrying forward these views, the funding can now benefit both the school and Ropetackle North development for years to come.

“This will deliver the positive ambitions of the developer and local community.”

Hyde unveiled their plans for the scheme in May.

The first phase will be for 49 two, three and four bedroom homes which developers said would include affordable, low-cost homes for rent and sale.