Education settings across Mid Cheshire are to receive their share of grants worth more than £450 million to improve the condition of their estate buildings.
Cledford Primary and Nursery Academy in Middlewich, Cloughwood Academy in Hartford, Sir John Deane's Sixth Form College, and The County High School, Leftwich will receive the money as part of the Government’s long-term plan to improve school estates.
Mid Cheshire’s Labour MP Andrew Cooper has welcomed confirmation of their inclusion in this round of CIF (Condition Improvement Fund) funding.
He said: “Parents across Mid Cheshire deserve to know their children are receiving their education in buildings that are safe and fit for purpose.
“We are literally fixing the foundations of our schools so local children are in a safe environment where the can achieve and thrive, and I am delighted that four settings in Mid Cheshire have been successful in obtaining a share of this funding.
“I look forward to hearing more about the improvements that will be made at Cledford Primary and Nursery, Cloughwood Academy, Sir John Deane's, and The County High School Leftwich with this funding.”
Grants worth over £450 million will give 684 schools and sixth-form colleges across the country funding to help to replace heating systems, mend roofs and update electrical works, among other projects, after years of declining buildings.
The funding forms part of a wider package of investment in programmes including the School Rebuilding Programme, which is rebuilding and refurbishing schools across the country, including those whose buildings contained dangerous RAAC materials.
These programmes form part of the Labour Government’s 10-year plan to renew buildings across education and are designed to ensure children across Mid Cheshire can learn in classrooms fit for purpose with high-quality and inspiring school buildings.
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said: “The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn't good enough.
“Parents expect their children to learn in a safe warm environment. It’s what children deserve, and it is what we are delivering.
“This investment is about more than just buildings - it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.”
Schools Minister, Josh MacAlister said: “Opportunity for our children starts with a great education, and children can only learn well in buildings that are safe, warm and fit for purpose, not classrooms disrupted by leaking roofs, failing boilers and declining buildings.
“This funding will help schools tackle urgent issues before they become bigger and more costly problems.
“It is part of our longer-term plan to break the cycle of schools and colleges doing patch-and-mend repairs, by committing to unprecedented long-term funding to improve the school and college estate because world-class classrooms are key in helping children to achieve and thrive.”
The Government is also investing at least £3.7 billion between 2025 and 2030 to support councils in providing places for children and young people with SEND or who require alternative provision, and to improve the accessibility and inclusivity of mainstream settings.
The government’s Education Estates Strategy sets out plans for an education estate that supports opportunity for all, backed by a decade long plan to transform schools and colleges.
