Schools across England are set for a transformative 10-year rebuilding programme under plans to be set out by the Prime Minister today [Monday 29 June, 2020].
Representing the first major rebuilding programme to be launched since 2014, schools will benefit from substantial additional investment. Schools and colleges will also receive funding this year to refurbish buildings in order to continue raising standards across the country.
The rebuilding programme will start in 2020-21 with the first 50 projects, supported by over £1 billion in funding. Further details of the new, multi-wave 10-year construction programme will be set out at the next Spending Review.
Investment will be targeted at school buildings in the worst condition across England – including substantial investment in the north and the Midlands – as part of the Prime Minister’s plan to level up opportunity for all.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “All children deserve the best possible start in life – regardless of their background or where they live.
“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 make sure our schools and colleges are fit for the future, with better facilities and brand new buildings so that every child gets a world-class education.”
The government will commit:
- Over £1 billion to fund the first 50 projects of a new, 10-year school rebuilding programme, starting from 2020-21. These projects will be confirmed in the autumn, and construction on the first sites will begin from September 2021
- £560 million and £200 million for repairs and upgrades to schools and further education (FE) colleges respectively this year.
Rebuilding projects will be greener, helping meet the government’s net zero target, and will focus on modern construction methods to create highly skilled jobs and boost the construction sector.
Investment in schools will be prioritised on the basis of the buildings’ condition and further details of the programme, including the approach to eligibility will be confirmed following the Spending Review.
The £560 million for school repairs and upgrades comes on top of over £1.4 billion in school condition funding already committed in 2020-21.
The £200 million for FE colleges this year brings forward plans announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Budget earlier this year for £1.5 billion of investment over five years to transform the FE college estate.
