We all want to provide our children with the best start in life. Part of this Government’s commitment to education is delivering great school buildings, transforming the learning environment for pupils and teachers.
Since 2015, the Government has allocated over £17 billion to maintain and improve school facilities across England, including initiatives such as the Condition Improvement Fund programme and school condition allocations.
This is alongside over £500 million for energy efficiency upgrades and funds for local authorities to create school places needed for September 2026.
Another key initiative is the Government’s National School Rebuilding Programme, which commits to rebuilding 500 schools across England, transforming education for thousands of pupils whilst fostering employment within our local communities.
Earlier this year, the Secretary of State announced that seven schools in our constituency affected by reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) have been included in the fourth round of the programme.
This is fantastic news for pupils, teachers and the wider school community.
I visited Great Leigh’s Primary School recently, which is one of the schools in the constituency directly benefiting from the programme.
As well as discussing the rebuilding plans, we discussed SEND funding, another area that the Government has announced significant investment in – over £19 million for Essex to support additional places for children with SEND across the county.
The other schools benefitting from the programme include Bentfield Primary School in Stansted, Hatfield Heath Primary School, Henham and Ugley Primary and Nursery School, Joyce Frankland Academy in Newport and Katherine Semar Infant and Junior School in Saffron Walden.
I will be working with local headteachers and Essex County Council to progress these rebuilding projects and support them to improve the learning environment for pupils across Chelmsford and Uttlesford.
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