Second round of school rebuilding programme launched

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.

The new school buildings, consisting of rebuilds and refurbishments, will create modern education environments, providing new facilities from classrooms and science labs, to sports halls and dining rooms. The buildings will also be net zero carbon in operation, helping meet the government’s net zero target.

The 50 projects 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 government is also 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 £14.4 billion funding increase, first announced in 2019. This will mean a £4.8 billion increase to school funding in the next academic year, and £7.1 billion in 2022-23. This is in addition to the three major interventions we have made to support education recovery in response to the pandemic – over £3 billion in total.

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.”