LOCAL MP Rebecca Pow has welcomed more than £450 million in extra funding from the Government to upgrade school buildings across the country, including a project in Court Fields School, Wellington.

Money from the ‘Condition Improvement Fund’ will be shared by 859 academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary aided schools nationwide to help with more than 1,000 projects.

The new investment will help to upgrade and improve school and college facilities, providing pupils with safer and warmer classrooms, and more energy efficient buildings.

The Government announced £1.8 billion of capital funding for the financial year 2023-24 to improve the condition of school buildings, including £1.1 billion for local authorities, large multi-academy trusts, and voluntary aided bodies.

The announcement follows on from the 239 new school buildings confirmed in December as part of the ‘Schools Rebuilding Programme’, with 400 out of 500 schools and sixth form colleges now selected for rebuilds through the 10-year programme.

Court Fields School was awarded £181,606 for improvements to its perimeter security and access control, which will build on recent improvements to enhance the safety of the school for students, staff, and visitors.

Ms Pow said: “We have a world-leading education system but we must continue to invest in safe, warm, and energy efficient classrooms so pupils have the facilities they need to study effectively and succeed.

“That is why I welcome the news that the Government is investing an additional £456 million into our school buildings across the country, delivering over 1,000 building improvement projects, including at Court Fields.

“Every school should have access to high-quality facilities and our investment will deliver this so pupils can develop the skills they need for their careers as we grow the economy.”

Minister for the schools system, Baroness Diana Barran, said: “Our Condition Improvement Fund has already completed over 10,000 projects, making a difference to pupils and teachers across the country.

“These projects help to create safer learning environments that make a difference to the quality of education for pupils.

“It is hugely important that every school has access to high-quality learning facilities and these funding allocations will make sure that responsible bodies can start to plan ahead and get projects started to replace roofs, boilers, and windows, so pupils and teachers can learn and work in a comfortable space.”