Every school in England will be able to access a share of almost £1.8 billion this year to help keep their buildings in the best possible condition.
The annual allocations provided to maintain school buildings will increase by over 20% to £1.8 billion this financial year, helping deliver the government’s commitment to build back better from the pandemic. This comes on top of the one-off funding injection of £560 million announced by the Prime Minister last year, making sure the condition of school buildings doesn’t hold any child back from achieving their potential.
The first wave of the School Rebuilding Programme announced last year is also on track, with site inspections and detailed planning work with the 50 schools involved meaning the first rebuild projects will start from this autumn.
Education Minister and Local MP, Gillian Keegan said: “This money will be transformative to many schools locally. Our fantastic Head Teachers are doing a brilliant job catching children up on missed work over the past year, and this money will ensure that our schools have good quality teaching space to do so. I am very much looking forward to visiting our schools again as things open up, and in time, see the improvement plans in schools where buildings need upgrading.”
Local authorities, larger multi-academy trusts and Voluntary Aided school bodies, such as dioceses, have been allocated condition funding in accordance with the latest data on their estates.
Smaller academy trusts and sixth form colleges schools have been able to submit bids to the Department for funding through the Condition Improvement Fund process, so those that have essential maintenance needs do not lose out. In addition, all schools have been allocated individual funding in accordance with their size.
Further details about the School Rebuilding programme will be set out later in 2021. Projects will range from replacing or refurbishing individual buildings through to whole school rebuilds.
The department also plans to consult this year to gather views on how schools are prioritised for future rounds of the long-term programme, including how evidence about schools’ condition need may be provided to support prioritisation.
