New chapter for St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School as rebuilding work begins
A primary school in Sunderland has held a ground-breaking ceremony after successfully securing funding under the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding Programme to be rebuilt.
St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Ryhope is one of 500 school projects allocated funding under the programme. The primary school has stood in Ryhope for more than 130 years and has served generations of local families.
The new school, which is part of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, is planned to open in the summer of 2027. The new purpose-built facility will provide state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces, outdoor learning environments and a new nursery.
Chris Zarraga, Director of Schools North East, said: ““This is fantastic news for St Patrick’s and for the whole Ryhope community. Schools sit at the heart of communities across the North East, and the environments in which children learn really matter.
“At Schools North East, we have consistently argued that improving educational outcomes means looking beyond what happens inside the school gates and investing in the wider infrastructure and opportunities surrounding our children.
“After more than 130 years serving local families, it’s brilliant to see St Patrick’s beginning this next chapter. This investment will give generations of children a modern learning environment in which they can thrive, while securing the school’s place at the heart of its community for years to come.”
An inspiring learning environment for children in Ryhope
Executive Head Teacher Jane Ward said: “For more than 130 years, St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School has been at the heart of the Ryhope community, serving generations of local children and families.
“We are absolutely delighted that construction of our new school has now begun, marking the start of an exciting new chapter in the school’s long and proud history. This purpose-built facility will provide modern, state-of-the-art teaching and learning spaces, cutting-edge technology, and enhanced outdoor learning environments that will enrich our children’s educational experience.
“The inclusion of a nursery will enable us to offer a seamless education journey from the age of three through to eleven, strengthening our commitment to delivering the highest standards of education. This investment will ensure that St. Patrick’s continues to serve the children and families of Ryhope for generations to come.”
William Kay, regional director at Tilbury Douglas North East and Yorkshire, said: “Tilbury Douglas is proud to be the trusted construction partner working with the Department for Education and Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust to deliver a modern new home for St Patrick’s Primary School and an inspiring learning environment for children in Ryhope.”
The plans were officially submitted for the building of the new school in November 2025.
There are more than 500 projects under the DfE’s School Rebuilding Programme, which began in 2021. Schools are prioritised because they meet one or more of the following criteria – their buildings are of specific construction types that require replacement; have the highest condition needs; have severe and urgent condition needs; or have risks with the potential to cause significant harm to pupils or staff.
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