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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Primary schools in major rebuild | Primary schools in major rebuild |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of primary schools in England will be rebuilt, as ministers release £1.75bn for approved building work. | Hundreds of primary schools in England will be rebuilt, as ministers release £1.75bn for approved building work. |
| Over 1,500 rebuilding or refurbishment projects will begin across 133 local authorities over the next two years. | Over 1,500 rebuilding or refurbishment projects will begin across 133 local authorities over the next two years. |
| The remaining 15 local councils in England will be offered advice on how to bring their plans up to speed. | The remaining 15 local councils in England will be offered advice on how to bring their plans up to speed. |
| The projects are part of the Primary Capital Programme, which is investing £7bn to rebuild or refurbish half of all primary schools by 2022-23. | The projects are part of the Primary Capital Programme, which is investing £7bn to rebuild or refurbish half of all primary schools by 2022-23. |
| While the Department for Children, Schools and Families has contributed £1.75bn towards the work, local authorities are matching the funding to bring the overall cost of the rebuild programme to £3.55bn. | |
| This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country Schools Secretary Ed Balls | This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country Schools Secretary Ed Balls |
| In total, 41 local authorities have met all the requirements set out in government guidance and will receive funding for projects in both 2009-10 and 2010-11. | In total, 41 local authorities have met all the requirements set out in government guidance and will receive funding for projects in both 2009-10 and 2010-11. |
| A further 92 will receive funding to carry out work in 2009-10, with extra support to develop their plans before funding is confirmed for 2010-11. | A further 92 will receive funding to carry out work in 2009-10, with extra support to develop their plans before funding is confirmed for 2010-11. |
| Falling short | Falling short |
| But the DCFS said 15 authorities had not satisfied them with their plans. | But the DCFS said 15 authorities had not satisfied them with their plans. |
| This included not outlining how the rebuilding would raise standards, not taking account of population changes, not linking in with secondary school building work and not indicating how the work would make schools available for community use. | This included not outlining how the rebuilding would raise standards, not taking account of population changes, not linking in with secondary school building work and not indicating how the work would make schools available for community use. |
| These authorities - Bristol, Halton, Hammersmith and Fulham, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Liverpool, Medway, North Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottingham, Sheffield, Shropshire, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock - will now have consultants sent in by the DCFS to help revise their plans. | These authorities - Bristol, Halton, Hammersmith and Fulham, Herefordshire, Leicestershire, Liverpool, Medway, North Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Nottingham, Sheffield, Shropshire, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock - will now have consultants sent in by the DCFS to help revise their plans. |
| It is hoped money can be released in these areas by April 2009. | It is hoped money can be released in these areas by April 2009. |
| 'Once-in-a-generation chance' | 'Once-in-a-generation chance' |
| Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: "This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country - to sweep away buildings now reaching the end of their shelf-life and drive up the quality of our schools. | Schools Secretary Ed Balls said: "This is a once-in-a-generation chance to transform primary education in every part of the country - to sweep away buildings now reaching the end of their shelf-life and drive up the quality of our schools. |
| "Today's announcement means we can build state-of-the-art primary schools at the heart of our communities - so every child and family has access to year-round extended childcare, parenting support, after-schools activities and access to ICT, sports and arts facilities. | "Today's announcement means we can build state-of-the-art primary schools at the heart of our communities - so every child and family has access to year-round extended childcare, parenting support, after-schools activities and access to ICT, sports and arts facilities. |
| "Such a massive capital funding injection will have big spin-off benefits for the construction industry and local businesses, who will be crucial to fitting out the new and refurbished schools." | "Such a massive capital funding injection will have big spin-off benefits for the construction industry and local businesses, who will be crucial to fitting out the new and refurbished schools." |
| Ian Fordham, deputy chief executive of the British Council for School Environments, said: "Primary schools are absolutely key to children's development, so this is a good use of our resources - our school buildings do make a difference to how well children learn and behave. | Ian Fordham, deputy chief executive of the British Council for School Environments, said: "Primary schools are absolutely key to children's development, so this is a good use of our resources - our school buildings do make a difference to how well children learn and behave. |
| "The key now is to ensure this money is well spent in a common sense way. It must compliment other broader educational agendas." | "The key now is to ensure this money is well spent in a common sense way. It must compliment other broader educational agendas." |