The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

239 Schools to be Renovated in Government Rebuilding Programme

239 Schools to be Renovated in Government Rebuilding Programme
16 December 2022
 

The Department for Education has added more sites to its ten-year programme of renovation projects for schools and sixth forms in England.

Buildings will be prioritised according to their condition, with old facilities replaced by new classrooms, sports halls and dining rooms. The criteria for prioritisation include buildings that have potential to cause significant harm to pupils and staff.

The first 50 schools to join the programme were announced in February 2021, and a further 50 in July 2021. Further funding for the programme post-2024-25 will be provided at the next spending review.

Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Today’s announcement will transform hundreds of schools across the country and ensure they are fit for the future.

“The additional funding, alongside fantastic new facilities, will mean our brilliant teachers can get on with what they do best – and inspire the next generation.

 

239 Schools is “A Drop in the Ocean”

 

Reacting to the announcement, Dr Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary of the National Education Union said: “The government’s announcement on the Schools Rebuilding Programme shows its poverty of ambition. The 239 schools included in the School Rebuilding Programme is a drop in the ocean compared with the actual number of schools which are in urgent need of rebuilds.

‘There are over 20,000 schools (22,012) in England. The idea that repairs to 239 schools is something to be trumpeted shows how far this government has lost touch with reality.”

‘Research by the TUC shows that the cost of retrofitting schools will run into billions of pounds, not including the costs of rebuilds and refurbishment.

The current annual budget for school building maintenance is £1.8 billion a year. The school's capital budget needs to stop being the poorest relation in education finance.

“Children and young people deserve to be taught in buildings that are fit for purpose and it is shocking that many are not. The Government must step up and provide more funding to stop the school's estate crumbling.”

Picture: a photograph of some school chairs arranged in lines in an auditorium. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 16 December 2022

Share



Related Articles

England’s School Buildings are a ‘Risk to Life’ Says Government Leak

According to documents leaked to The Observer newspaper, deteriorating school buildings in England are a “risk to life.” The leaked emails are from...

 Read Full Article
GSH Group Wins FM Contract at Ormiston Academies Trust

Ormiston Academies Trust has contracted GSH Group to provide technical facilities management services for their eastern region portfolio. The multi-year contract spans...

 Read Full Article
Leicestershire’s First Net-Zero Carbon School

Leicestershire County Council has appointed Willmott Dixon to build its first net-zero in-operation school. The new £8.5 million 210-place primary school is...

 Read Full Article
Inside Milton Keynes' First Fossil Fuel Free School

Take a look inside Glebe Farm School in the parish of Wavendon in Milton Keynes – a completely gas-free site. On a site larger than 13 football pitches, the...

 Read Full Article
SSE Energy Solutions Decarbonise Welsh Schools

14 schools are closer to achieving net-zero at the end of the first phase of an ambitious county-wide decarbonisation initiative delivered by SSE Energy Solutions in...

 Read Full Article
ABM Further Nurtures Next-Gen FM

Leading facilities solutions provider ABM has opened its doors to the fifth cohort to take part in its Junior Engineering Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P.), with an...

 Read Full Article
72% of Teachers Feel Classroom Air Quality is 'Below Standard'

As autumn term begins for UK school children, indoor air quality in educational facilities is under the spotlight thanks to new survey data.   Air Quality in...

 Read Full Article
Julius Rutherfoord Retains £30m of London Cleaning Contracts

Julius Rutherfoord has retained £30 million worth of education cleaning contracts, including a contract extension at City, University of London. The retentions...

 Read Full Article
High Performing Buildings – July’s Roundup

This month’s roundup includes the first ever WELL Gold certified high school in the USA, the first new build west end theatre in 50 years and the world’s most...

 Read Full Article
Education is Crucial for Asbestos Management in Schools

SOCOTEC is highlighting the risk of asbestos exposure in UK schools, and what the FMs should be doing about it.  One of the main issues with regards...

 Read Full Article