Schools across the country are set to receive £483m from the Condition Improvement Fund as the government “builds back better” from the pandemic
Local authorities, larger multi-academy trusts and Voluntary Aided school bodies were allocated condition funding earlier this year in accordance with the latest data on their estates.
Essential upgrades
Smaller academy trusts and sixth form colleges submitted bids to the Department for funding through the Condition Improvement Fund process, for essential maintenance and upgrades and the most pressing 1,199 projects have today been allocated funding.
Of the £483m, £93m will go to 273 schools in the North East and North West.
The funding will improve classrooms, create more energy-efficient buildings and reduce energy bills for schools – helping the government to meet its net-zero target.
Refurbs & rebuilds
Site inspections and detailed planning work are already underway and construction of the first projects will begin in autumn 2021.
The new School Rebuilding Programme – supported by £1bn in funding – announced last year is also on track, with the first 50 schools confirmed in February.
A further 50 projects, ranging from refurbishing individual buildings through to whole school rebuilds, will be confirmed later this year.
Schools minister Baroness Berridge said: “Alongside our ambitious rebuilding programme for schools over the next decade, this government is making sure children learn in the best possible environments.
“Providing every school with the financial support it needs to build back better for its students.
“Schools are the centres of our communities and both pupils and staff need to have up-to-date classrooms to learn and work in, that’s why the government is spending £1.8bn this year alone to improve school buildings.”
