Schools boost with net-zero refurbishment

A schools refurbishment programme is underway, which will see 61 schools benefit from state-of-the-art buildings.

Some £1Bn is being invested in education through rebuilding or refurbishment of schools that will transform education for their pupils.

The new Education Secretary, James Cleverly, confirmed the investment to provide thousands of children access to new, modern classrooms as part of the flagship School Rebuilding Programme.

He commented: “Our School Rebuilding Programme is already making a difference to the lives of pupils and their teachers. It is creating greener school sites that are fit for the future and that local communities can be proud of.

“We know how important it is to have high-quality school facilities. That is why we continue to invest billions in our rebuilding programme.”

Schools selected in round one of the programme, such as West Coventry Academy and St John Fisher Catholic High School in Wigan, are benefitting from a full replacement of all their buildings. The work will transform the environment children learn in, including brand new sports facilities enabling more children to take part in physical activity.

Work to deliver the projects will start immediately, with contractors updating and modernising buildings, and creating state-of-the-art facilities such as new sports halls, music rooms, science labs and dining areas.

The new school buildings will be net-zero carbon in operation, helping Government meet net-zero targets.

Since 2010, around 500 schools have been refurbished or rebuilt under government programmes.

The commitment to rebuild and refurbish the schools most in need is part of Government’s wider Schools White Paper commitments, to ensure that by 2030 every child will be taught a broad and ambitious curriculum, with access to high-quality extra-curricular provision, in a school with high expectations and strong standards of behaviour.

Alongside the new rebuilding programme, the Government has committed £1.8Bn in financial year 2022-23 for maintaining and improving the school estate, as part of £13.1Bn allocated since 2015.

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