135 South West schools receive government funding to improve facilities and education standards

A total of 135 schools across the South West will benefit from funding to improve their facilities.

The schools have been allocated a share of the £434million investment to expand classrooms, upgrade facilities and improve the education of children across the whole country.

They include 23 schools in Cornwall, 23 in Devon, 30 in Somerset, 13 in Dorset, 11 in Bristol, 11 in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire and 24 in Wiltshire.

The funding will ensure schools have well-maintained facilities to provide students with safe environments that support a high-quality education. It is part of the £1.4billion of capital funding for 2020-21 announced in April and is provided through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).

On top of this, the Prime Minister has announced a new transformative 10-year school rebuilding programme. This will be kick-started with over £1billion for the first 50 projects in 2020-21. As we bounce back from the pandemic, it’s important we lay the foundations for a country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, with our younger generations front and centre of this mission.

This major new investment will ensure our schools and colleges can focus on teaching, with brand new buildings and better facilities so that every child gets the world-class education all our children deserve.

Schools across the country have played their part in responding to coronavirus, ensuring their doors remained open for the children of essential workers – who have kept the NHS, public services and economy going throughout this crisis.

The £1billion package is on top of the £14billion three-year funding settlement announced last year – recognising the additional work schools will need to do to help students to catch up.

Commenting, Peter Booth, chairman of South West Conservatives, said:

“Coronavirus has taken a toll on us all, not least children, who have been kept from their friends, their teachers and their schools.

“As we exit lockdown we must focus on getting children back to school – and ensure that schools have the facilities and classrooms they need to support the high-quality education children deserve.

“This funding will help ensure all children in the South West have the very best possible schools and education, enabling them to gain all the knowledge and skills they need for success.”

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

“My number one focus will always be to make sure every student has access to excellent education and training.

“Replacing and upgrading poor condition school and college buildings with modern, energy efficient designs will give our students and teachers the environment they deserve and support them to maximise their potential.

“As we look forward to this September and all children returning to school, we can be assured that for years to come this country’s education system will drive opportunity and prosperity for all.”