The Report

In the national survey conducted by The Key, an independent advice service for schools across the country, 270 of the 687 headteachers indicated that poor learning environments continue to affect the quality of learning for both students and staff alike.  

At Forest Lodge Primary School in Leicester, temporary buildings first built in the 1950s are still required for permanent use as a result of the need for an extensive repair programme. Karen Cane, the head, said “There are constant leaks. We had an adviser come in to monitor classroom observation and it was raining and water was dropping onto one child's work”. Only 25 per cent of applicants succeeded in applying for new grant allocations.  

The Problem

Whilst the report was conducted before the announcement that the BFS programme would be replaced (rather than cut altogether) by the Priority School Building Programme (PSBP), Education Secretary Michael Gove admitted “that many of the schools that applied to the PSBP…have been unsuccessful” , with nearly 500 fewer schools undergoing redevelopment than under the previous Government.

What can be done?

In prioritising the schools in the worst condition the Government is hoping to create a platform on which to build during the rest of their time in office, with nearly £3billion allocated to the refurbishment of 261 schools in England and Wales this financial year.

With many schools unsuccessful in their bid for further funding this year, some opportunities have already emerged for potential involvement in next year’s allocation. ITV are keen to talk to schools with school buildings that are in dire need of repair and modernisation. Contact amy.robbins1@itv.com for further details.