School Rebuilding Programme winners revealed

January 9, 2023 Adam Richards

Hundreds of schools and academies win funding in flagship Government scheme.

Pupils across England will benefit as 239 schools have been selected in the latest round of the ten-year School Rebuilding Programme.

Buildings will be transformed through renovation projects and there will be a focus on energy-efficiency measures.

The latest list of winners comes on top of 161 projects already announced, with construction work nearing completion on the most advanced sites.

It means that 400 of the 500 schools and sixth forms to be rebuilt under the scheme have been chosen.

The Department for Education said it had prioritised “sizeable projects” to ensure best value for money, as well as where there was “a significant risk to pupils and staff”.

Compiling the strongest bid

Academy trusts and councils are expected to be able to nominate schools for the final rounds of the programme and submit evidence to back up their case, underlining the importance of compiling the strongest bid possible.

As qualified Chartered Building Surveyors specialising in education, Surveyors for Education (S2e) can help schools, academies and multi-academy trusts (MATs) put together an evidence-based dossier that demonstrates both need and value for money.

S2e can also help schools to submit bids for the Condition Improvement Fund when the next round opens later this year.

Academies do best

Analysis of the results of the latest round of the School Rebuilding Programme shows that academies benefitted most – 63 per cent of winners were either standalone academies or part of a MAT, whereas academies make up 45 per cent of all state-funded schools.

“Fit for the future”

Heralding the publication of the latest list of winners, Gillian Keegan, Secretary of State for Education, said: “Education is a top priority for this Government … Today’s announcement will transform hundreds of schools across the country and ensure they are fit for the future. The additional funding, alongside fantastic new facilities, will mean our brilliant teachers can get on with what they do best – and inspire the next generation.”

This round of the programme has a strong energy-efficiency focus for future winter resilience, with old facilities replaced by modern education environments including new classrooms, sports halls and dining rooms. School buildings will also be rebuilt to be net-zero in operation.

In addition to the School Rebuilding Programme, Ms Keegan said the Government was continuing to invest in the school estate with annual capital funding of over £13 billion allocated since 2015 to maintain and improve school facilities across England. This includes £1.8 billion in 2022-23.