Menu
24/05/2012
Government Announce New School Building Plans
The government has announced a new school building fund, which will give money to 261 schools in England.
A total of 587 applied for the cash from the Priority School Building Programme, aimed at rebuilding the most dilapidated schools.
The scheme replaces Labour's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which was cancelled by the Education Secretary Michael Gove.
The BSF programme had been expected to cost £55bn and was set up under Labour, who pledged to rebuild every secondary school in England.
Mr Gove had described it as wasteful and over-bureaucratic.
After scrapping it, he set up a review of all school building plans, which reported in April 2011. One key recommendation was a new survey of the condition of all schools in England.
Applications for the Priority School Building Programme had to be submitted by mid-October 2011 - and schools had expected to hear if they had been successful in December 2011.
The scheme, which has a £2bn budget for five years, was heavily oversubscribed.
n a written statement to the House of Commons, Mr Gove said 42 schools were being prioritised because they were in greatest need. These were those in the worst condition or special schools, he said.
"In tackling the challenges we face on school building I have been determined to use the capital funding at my disposal to best effect, seeking value for money and efficiency from every pound spent," his statement said.
"I recognise that many of the schools that applied and have been unsuccessful will also have significant condition needs.
"Some of those will have their needs addressed through the other funding we have made available for maintenance. Where that is not the case, I will use the information from the national programme of surveys we are currently conducting to ensure that, subject to funds available in the next spending review period, those schools which need renovation will have their needs addressed as quickly as possible."
(H)
A total of 587 applied for the cash from the Priority School Building Programme, aimed at rebuilding the most dilapidated schools.
The scheme replaces Labour's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme, which was cancelled by the Education Secretary Michael Gove.
The BSF programme had been expected to cost £55bn and was set up under Labour, who pledged to rebuild every secondary school in England.
Mr Gove had described it as wasteful and over-bureaucratic.
After scrapping it, he set up a review of all school building plans, which reported in April 2011. One key recommendation was a new survey of the condition of all schools in England.
Applications for the Priority School Building Programme had to be submitted by mid-October 2011 - and schools had expected to hear if they had been successful in December 2011.
The scheme, which has a £2bn budget for five years, was heavily oversubscribed.
n a written statement to the House of Commons, Mr Gove said 42 schools were being prioritised because they were in greatest need. These were those in the worst condition or special schools, he said.
"In tackling the challenges we face on school building I have been determined to use the capital funding at my disposal to best effect, seeking value for money and efficiency from every pound spent," his statement said.
"I recognise that many of the schools that applied and have been unsuccessful will also have significant condition needs.
"Some of those will have their needs addressed through the other funding we have made available for maintenance. Where that is not the case, I will use the information from the national programme of surveys we are currently conducting to ensure that, subject to funds available in the next spending review period, those schools which need renovation will have their needs addressed as quickly as possible."
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
02 October 2008
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
05 December 2013
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
19 July 2010
Teachers Protest Over School Building Cuts
Hundreds of teachers have protested at Parliament over the decision to axe a £55 million school building programme in England. More than 700 projects have been halted, following Education Secretary Michael Gove's announcement two weeks ago that the Building Schools for the Future programme was being scrapped.
Teachers Protest Over School Building Cuts
Hundreds of teachers have protested at Parliament over the decision to axe a £55 million school building programme in England. More than 700 projects have been halted, following Education Secretary Michael Gove's announcement two weeks ago that the Building Schools for the Future programme was being scrapped.
08 July 2010
'Growing Appetite' For School Lunches
The number of children eating school lunches in England has seen a significant rise, according to national figures released today. The number of pupils eating healthy food at school has seen the biggest year-on-year percentage point increase since the height of the school meals revolution.
'Growing Appetite' For School Lunches
The number of children eating school lunches in England has seen a significant rise, according to national figures released today. The number of pupils eating healthy food at school has seen the biggest year-on-year percentage point increase since the height of the school meals revolution.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
