Staffs schools to share £12m to improve state of buildings

SCHOOLS across Staffordshire are to receive a share of £12 million to improve buildings.

Staffordshire County Council had already allocated £4 million for structural repairs in 2020/21.

However, now the Department for Education has told the authority can up this to £9.6 million, which will be spent at 128 maintained schools it is directly responsible for in the county.

Some of the work on the schools will include upgrading old pipework and fitting new energy controls that monitor usage, while also improving insulation and installing new LED lighting.

There will also be an extra £2.4million investment to pay for more school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

The county council’s cabinet member for education Jonathan Price 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.

“We want all children with special educational needs and disabilities to be able to reach their potential by receiving the right support at the right time in their own communities and at their local school or place of education. This grant is a step in that direction towards educating children closer to home and providing better support in mainstream classrooms.” Councillor Price has said that he is delighted at the investment and that both pupils and staff will see the benefits of the investment.

“I am delighted we now have £12 million to invest. Some changes will be obvious and benefit 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.”

Some changes will be obvious and benefit pupils and staff enormously, others will be behind the scenes. Jonathan Price