Over 80 Yorkshire schools to receive government funding

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Schools Minister David Laws announced today that over eighty academies and sixth-form colleges across Yorkshire and the Humber will receive a share of £28m in 2015-16 for school building developments and expansions.

With aims of building a stronger economy and fairer society, the government will supply the funding for schools to create safer environments for students, higher quality classrooms and the best facilities for members of staff.

As well as the education institutes in Yorkshire, altogether 1089 academies and sixth-form colleges across the country will receive a portion of £367 million, which will be invested into fixing building condition issues as well as expansions as part of the government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).

The Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) was implemented to substitute both the Academies Capital Maintenance Fund (ACMF) for academies and the Building Condition Improvement Fund (BCIF) for sixth-form colleges to create a single sector for these institutions to apply for capital works.

Among the academies and sixth-form colleges that will receive funding from CIF in the region are The Mirfield Free Grammar and Sixth Form in Mirfield and The Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School in Ilkley.

Mr Morgan said: “As part of our long term economic plan we have continued to invest in school buildings so thousands of pupils are taught in new schools and classrooms.

“The money provided through the condition improvement fund will help ensure that even more children have access to the best possible facilities and learn in an environment that gives them the knowledge and skills to succeed in the global race.”

Mr Laws added: “To create a stronger economy and a fairer society it is crucial that we invest in education, so that every child has a fair start in life.

“Since 2010 the government has invested more than £18 billion in school buildings, and we recently announced a further £6 billion to help drive-up school building standards across the country in the coming years.

“Thanks to Condition Improvement Fund thousands more pupils and their teachers across England will benefit from safe, high-quality classrooms.”