Commenting on the first wave of the school rebuilding programme,
Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and
College Leaders, said:
“We are delighted for the schools that have been confirmed in the
first wave of the rebuilding programme, and we very much welcome
this investment, as well as the plans for 21 new schools.
Congratulations to all those involved for their work in
developing these exciting projects, which will be of enormous
benefit to pupils and communities.
“It is great that the government is making this investment. But
without wanting to be ungracious, let’s keep this announcement in
perspective. There is still an enormous backlog of repairs and
refurbishment needed to the whole school estate, and at the last
count it was estimated that it would cost £6.7 billion to return
all school buildings to satisfactory or better condition. The
government is making progress in the right direction, but frankly
we hope for a day when all schools are able to have facilities
fit for the 21st century.”
Ends
Editors’ notes: The Association of School and College Leaders
(ASCL) is a leading professional body and trade union
representing more than 21,000 members across the UK. Our members
include trust leaders, headteachers, principals, vice-principals,
deputy and assistant headteachers, and business leaders, of
state-funded and independent schools and colleges. They are
responsible for the education of more than four million young
people in more than 90% of secondary schools and colleges, and in
an increasing number of primary schools. We provide high-quality
advice and support to our members, deliver first-class
professional development, and we work to influence national
education policy on behalf of children and young people.
