Richard has welcomed the announcement that schools in North East Bedfordshire that will benefit from funding to improve school facilities. The constituency has been allocated its share of the £434 million investment to expand classrooms, upgrade facilities and improve the education of children across the whole country.
This funding will ensure schools have well-maintained facilities to provide students with safe environments that support a high-quality education. It is part of the £1.4 billion of capital funding for 2020-21 announced in April and is provided through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).
On top of this, the Prime Minister has also announced a new transformative 10-year school rebuilding programme. This will be kick-started with over £1 billion for the first 50 projects in 2020-21. As we bounce back from the pandemic, it’s important we lay the foundations for a country where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, with our younger generations front and centre of this mission.
This major new investment will ensure our schools and colleges can focus on teaching, with brand new buildings and better facilities so that every child gets the world-class education all our children deserve. In North East Bedfordshire, schools benefitting from this funding include Great Barford Church of England Primary Academy, Shortstown Primary School and Biggleswade Academy.
Schools across the country have played their part in responding to coronavirus, ensuring their doors remained open for the children of essential workers – who have kept the NHS, public services and economy going throughout this crisis.
The £1 billion package is on top of the £14 billion three-year funding settlement announced last year - recognising the additional work schools will need to do to help students to catch up.
Commenting, Richard said:
“Coronavirus has taken a toll on us all, not least our children, who have been kept from their friends, their teachers and their schools.
“As we exit lockdown we must focus on getting children back to school – and ensure that schools have the facilities and classrooms they need to support the high-quality education our children deserve.
“This funding will help ensure all children have the very best possible schools and education, enabling them to gain all the knowledge and skills they need for success.”
