THE £25 million rebuild of two Bournemouth schools has moved a step closer – though the council will not pay for any overspend.

Bishop of Winchester Academy and the Bourne Academy are waiting to receive the money through the now scrapped Building Schools for the Future programme.

Bournemouth Council has agreed to take over management of the project, subject to conditions.

The cabinet agreed to become the ‘client’, but only after more technical work, and an agreement that the council will not use any of its own money.

Bishop of Winchester in Mallard Road is due to receive £14,059,125 and the Bourne Academy in Hadow Road will get £9,904,249.

The money will be used to rebuild and refurbish the school buildings and transform lessons. There is no date yet for the start of work but the projects must be complete by April 2014.

Partnerships for Schools asked the council to become the client, rather than the schools, because it is more experienced in delivering large projects.

Cllr Nicola Green, cabinet member for education, said: “The schools are very keen for work to begin. There’s a process that needs to be followed to make sure we get the best result for everyone.

“Once it’s a case of signing a contract with Balfour Beatty, it will be a design and build contract, and costs should be locked down.”

Paul McKeown, the principal at the Bishop of Winchester Academy, has said: “This figure will allow us to expand our intake in each year group and to establish our own sixth form.”

Richard Knott, chairman of governors at the Bourne Academy, told the Echo earlier this year: “I am pleased that the engineering specialism and house system, which have already played an important part in the academy’s successful first term, can now be given the facilities they need and deserve.”