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.
Schools Minister said:
“I know teachers and heads are spending every hour of the working
day thinking about how they can make sure the students at their
schools recover from the impact of the pandemic, and making sure
all children and staff remain safe following the welcome return
to face to face teaching.
“Alongside our ambitious rebuilding programme for the schools in
the worst condition, this government is making sure every school
has the investment and financial support it needs to build back
better for its students.”
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.
ENDS
Notes to editors
The £1.8 billion in condition funding includes:
- School condition allocations (SCA) for local authorities,
large multi-academy trusts and large voluntary aided school
bodies based on the latest condition data, published today
- Devolved Formula Capital allocations for individual schools,
published today
Funding for the Condition Improvement Fund programme, with the
outcomes of the 2021-22 bidding round to be announced later this
term
