The Conservatives will not shut down a £200 million programme to rebuild or improve Telford’s schools but will change it for the better, a top Tory minister insisted on a visit to the town.

Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families Michael Gove, who was in Madeley to officially open the new Madeley Academy, said there was money to make sure that “great schools” and areas in need had the chance to expand and invest.

But he was unwilling to tie himself to the current project, saying: “One of the problems with the project is that the money doesn’t go to the schools, it goes to bureaucrats, architects and construction companies.

“That is wrong. The money should be at the front line, with the schools and the local authorities that support the schools.”

He added: “We’re going to do everything possible to make sure that money which should be spent on school buildings is spent on school buildings and not on bureaucrats.”

Mr Gove is shown around the catering department at the Madeley Academy

Mr Gove was responding to comments by Schools Secretary Ed Balls, who was himself at the Academy last week.

Mr Balls had said that the Tories would throw the Building Schools For The Future scheme on the scrap heap if they gained power, halting many Telford school building projects.

During a speech in front of pupils, Mr Gove said: “When I visited this school a few years ago I said the brilliant students needed a building that was as good as they were, and this is it.”

He added: “This school is a school that everyone across England is jealous of.”

Madeley Academy’s headteacher Vic Maher said he was very proud of the students and “the magnificent academy”.

He added: “All the people here today helped make Madeley Academy what it is today.”

The shadow minister was taken on a tour of various vocational departments in the school, including the catering department.

The pupils released purple balloons – which is the academy’s colour – to celebrate its official opening.

By Holly Evans