Children, Schools and Families written question – answered at on 16 January 2008.
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what progress his Department has made on bringing around 3,500 secondary school buildings up to 21st century standards; and if he will make a statement.
In 1997, investment in school buildings was under £700 million a year and schools had suffered from many years of under investment, with a large backlog of condition and suitability needs. This year, Government funding for investment in school buildings and facilities is £6.4 billion and it will rise to over £8 billion a year by 2010-11—a seven-fold increase in real terms under this Government.
Since 1997, every school in England has benefited from this growth in funding. Since 2000, every school has been given money directly to invest in its own priorities. By 2010-11, a typical secondary school, for example, will have received over £900,000 to improve its buildings and facilities.
In the 10 years to 2007, there were 162 new secondary schools built, and a further 26 new or significantly refurbished academy buildings. Additionally, over 6,600 science laboratories were built or refurbished, and over 430 sixth form blocks built or refurbished, Many other secondary schools benefited from new general classrooms, new kitchens or dining rooms, improved sports facilities and the replacement of decayed temporary accommodation with permanent.
Ensuring that all secondary school have 21st century facilities is now driven by Building Schools for the Future, which with the academies programme aims to rebuild or renew all secondary schools in England where there is need in 15 waves of investment.
There are now 72 local authorities in the first six waves of the programme, supported in developing their projects by our delivery agent, Partnerships for Schools. The first all-new school in this programme was opened in September in Bristol. Additionally, 39 authorities not yet in Building Schools for the Future are being offered One School Pathfinder funding to renew their neediest secondary school. There are a further 106 academies buildings in development outside of the BSF programme. In all, almost 1,000 schools are now in planning or procurement through Building Schools for the Future, Academies, or as One School Pathfinders. Further, we will provide £8 million of funding by 2010-11, to each of 76 authorities not yet in Building Schools for the Future, to improve diploma provision for 14-19 year olds and to improve facilities for young people with special educational needs.
Full details of our school improvement programme are in my written statement of
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