£12m investment for county schools

LIGHTER, brighter classrooms, with more fuel-efficient heating and lighting systems are part of a £12million investment to maintain and improve Staffordshire schools.

Expenditure beginning this year will include installing new roofs and windows, replacing inefficient heating systems, replacing ageing electrical networks, upgrading old pipework and fitting new energy controls that monitor usage, while also improving insulation and installing new LED lighting.

While research has shown good ventilation and lighting improve pupils’ capacity to learn, health and education studies also back the provision of creating more open toilet areas in older buildings to encourage children to use them regularly and drink enough water during the day.

Jonathan Price, below, the County Council’s Cabinet member for Education, said: “The quality of school buildings can help or hinder pupils’ learning and we are committed to having our children taught in the best possible environment across the county.

“I am delighted that we now have £12million to invest. Some changes will be obvious and benefits pupils and staff enormously, while others will be behind the scenes to ensure the school is in good shape for the future.

“One of the biggest demands on a school’s budget is the cost of heating and lighting so improvements to boilers, insulation and lighting will all pay long term dividends for heads and governors.” Staffordshire County Council had already allocated £4million for structural repairs and internal improvements in 2020/21. But now the Department for Education has told the authority it can spend £9.6million on the 128 maintained schools it is directly responsible for.