More than 40 schools could go under the hammer to help pay for Bradford's trouble-hit education shake-up, it was revealed today.

The schools will become surplus to requirements as a result of the shake-up and some could be bought by developers.

And even though they have not been advertised, the Council has already received a number of inquiries about the sites which would bring tens of millions of pounds.

Council chief executive Ian Stewart would not comment on their values.

Council officers are now working on the figures after the authority received approval to bridge its £47 million shortfall for the reorganisation.

The £171 million project will turn the district's schools from a three tier to two tier structure.

But the Council had to make a desperate appeal to the Government for help after it was discovered that the cost had been wrongly estimated and there was a massive shortfall.

The Department for Education and Employment has now given the Council approval to borrow an extra £23 million.

The Council says the rest of the cash will be made up from capital receipts from the sale of its land or property and savings which could be achieved if a managing partner was brought in to carry out the construction programme.

The Council is in the process of appointing a partner to carry out the massive job.

Mr Stewart said that the Council would save costs because of the partner's ability to make savings in areas like materials.

There would also be profits for the partner and it would gain an international reputation through doing the work.

The winner will be chosen by a tender board which will be made up of professionals and Council officers.

Mr Stewart added that the authority would probably decide how much it would need from the sales of schools after the savings which could be achieved through the partner were estimated. "We may not need to sell any."

He said starting and finishing dates for all schools would be given as soon as possible.

And he gave an assurance that pupils would not remain in temporary classrooms for long periods.

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood said: "We have a situation where funding is available to deliver the full capital programme. We can get it up and running and move on to drive standards up in schools."

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