- 50 new schools selected, with the majority located in the Midlands and North of England
- The School Rebuilding Programme is due to deliver 500 rebuilding projects over the next decade
- Government also confirms increase in core per pupil funding levels for 2022/23
Thousands more pupils are set to benefit from new, modern, energy efficient school buildings as a further 50 schools are confirmed for the Prime Minister’s ten-year rebuilding programme, to level up opportunities for all.
Transforming education for thousands of pupils, the 50 projects announced today build on the existing programme bringing the total number of schools being upgraded to 100. The School Rebuilding Programme is due to deliver 500 rebuilding projects over the next decade, which will benefit tens of thousands of pupils over their lifetime.
The schools included in this round include primary, secondary and special and alternative provision schools, with more than 60 per cent of the schools in the North and Midlands.
The rebuilds and refurbishments will create modern education environments, providing new facilities from classrooms and science labs, to sports halls and dining rooms. The new school buildings will also be net-zero carbon in operation, helping meet the Government’s net zero target.
The Government is also today confirming another core funding boost for schools through the National Funding Formula. Every pupil is set to benefit from the largest funding increase in a decade as part of £14.4bn funding increase, first announced in 2019.
Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson said:
“The environment children are taught in makes such an enormous difference to their education.
“This programme will give thousands more young people the chance to learn in world class school facilities, levelling up opportunity and making sure every young person has the chance to succeed, progress and fulfil their potential.
“As we build back better after the pandemic, with buildings that are net-zero in operation, this major ten-year rebuilding programme will help to shape the education of not only children now, but for years to come.”
Paul Howell, Member of Parliament for Sedgefield said:
“It was fabulous to see the announcements from the Department for Education about the latest schools to benefit from the second round of Prime Minister’s transformative school rebuilding programme. This latest announcement of the next 50 schools to benefit includes two in Newton Aycliffe, with both Sugar Hill and Woodham Academy benefiting.
“So many schools are ready for the respite that the school holidays will bring after an incredibly busy time for all our school staff. The work they have all done through the pandemic has been amazing and I hope they can get some relief before September.
“Summer schools are taking part to help transitioning pupils, so I continue to applaud their efforts and look forward to visiting again in the new school year.”
Today, the Department for Education is also launching a consultation to gather views on how to prioritise schools for the remainder of the programme.
Funding for individual projects in the School Rebuilding programme will be determined when the scope and delivery plans at each school are developed. Projects will range from replacing or refurbishing individual buildings through to whole school rebuilds.
The most advanced projects from the first round of the programme will begin construction in autumn 2021. The programme will help to create jobs, apprenticeships and training opportunities across England, with suppliers offering training and apprenticeships as part of their work on the projects.
The majority of the confirmed projects are expected to complete within three to five years.
The Government is also today confirming increased school core funding rates. From 2022-23, secondary schools across England will attract an average of £6,150 per pupil, an average increase of £160. Primary schools will attract an average of £4,800 per pupil, an average increase of £120
Funding for small and remote schools is also being boosted by £53m in 2022-23, recognising these schools are often at the heart of the rural communities they serve.
High needs funding, to support children with special educational needs and disabilities, is increasing by £780m in 2022-23. This comes on top of the over £1.5 billion increase over the previous two years.
