Nottinghamshire schools have been included in a new list of 239 establishments to benefit from 'transformative' new buildings thanks to Government funding. All Saints Catholic Voluntary Academy in Mansfield, Chilwell School in Beeston, Meden School in Warsop, the Dukeries Academy in Newark, the Garibaldi School in Forest Town, and the Holgate Academy in Hucknall are the six latest schools in the county to be placed on the list.
The new school renovation projects build on a list of 161 previously announced schools, with construction works nearing completion on the most advanced sites. These six schools add to the seven schools across Nottinghamshire which were announced earlier this year.
The Nottinghamshire schools previously announced include Southglade Primary and Nursery School in Nottingham, Broomhill Junior School in Hucknall and Toot Hill School in Bingham. This means a total of 13 schools across the county will benefit from the programme.
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The announcement comes as the Department for Education’s annual report found 'there is a risk of collapse of one or more blocks in some schools'. The report found that the risk was mainly in buildings built between 1945 and 1970 which are 'at or approaching the end of their designed life-expectancy and structural integrity is impaired'.
The new build projects which have now been announced mean that a total of 400 schools and sixth forms have been selected for rebuilds through the 10-year School Rebuilding Programme. The programme will see old facilities replaced by 'modern education environments' including new classrooms, sports halls and dining rooms.
The Department for Education said all the new buildings will be net-zero in operation and 'more energy efficient for future winter resilience'. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said the announcement would 'transform hundreds of schools across the country and ensure they are fit for the future'.
She added: "Education is a top priority for this Government. That is why, despite facing challenging economic circumstances, we are investing a record amount in our schools and colleges."
The north will benefit most from the rebuilding project, as 60 of the schools are in Yorkshire and the Humber, 51 are in the North West, and 39 are in the North East. That compares to around five per 100,000 pupils in the East Midlands and West Midlands, four in the North West and the South West, and around three in the East of England, the South East, and in London.
The Government has also announced increased funding which it says will total £58.8billion by 2024-25. This includes a £2.5bn boost for mainstream schools and an additional £1bn in funding for children and young people with complex special educational needs and disabilities.
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