Local Member of Parliament, Craig Tracey MP, has welcomed the news that three schools in the North Warwickshire and Bedworth constituency will receive extra Government funding to upgrade their buildings.Through the Condition Improvement Fund, the Government is investing over £450 million nationally, with projects receiving new investment to deliver safe, well-maintained facilities that support a high-quality education for pupils. It has today been announced that St Benedict's Catholic Primary Academy, St Francis Catholic Academy and Corley Academy in North Warwickshire and Bedworth will receive grants.
Craig works closely with local schools and has championed their bids to Government throughout the process. Following the successful bids, he commented
“This is fantastic news for North Warwickshire and Bedworth as this investment will improve facilities, providing our pupils with safer, warmer classrooms and more energy efficient school buildings. Maintaining a high-quality learning environment will help ensure every young person has the best chance to develop the skills they need for their careers as we continue to grow the economy.”
The Conservative Government has already 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 ten-year programme.
Baroness Diana Barran MBE, Minister for the School System, said:
“Our Condition Improvement Fund has already completed over ten thousand 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’s 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.”