Government to hand cash to Steyning school for renovation

More than £6billion will be invested in schools across England by the government, with the aim of improving school buildings and classrooms.

This week Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Education Secretary Nicky Morgan confirmed that around £2billion would be invested in rebuilding or refurbishing buildings at 277 schools, under the second phase of the government’s Priority School Building Programme.

Steyning Grammar is one of them.

Nick Wergan, headteacher at Steyning Grammar School, added: “We are delighted that the hard work, ambition and achievement of our staff and students is being recognised, and that our building provision will now reflect the innovation and high aspiration of our teaching practice.

“Improving our buildings has been one priority of our ‘journey to excellence’ – this is an investment in our ethos of highest expectations. Staff and students are absolutely delighted that our temporary classrooms will be consigned to history. We combine a tradition of excellence with preparing students for their exciting futures – it is great news that the small minority of our classrooms that did not meet these high standards will now be replaced with the best learning spaces for our students.”

In May 2014, the DfE announced the release of capital funding under the Priority School Building Programme Phase 2 (PSBP2) to address major building condition issues within the school estate. West Sussex County Council submitted a list of five schools select to receive funding.

Mr Wergan added: “This is an exciting school to teach and learn in – and this funding news is a welcome boost to our ambitious school development plans, supporting every student in ‘being the best they can be’.”

Scoping studies on all schools will commence from April onwards to assess the detailed work required, together with any specific site issues, and to review the best method and timescale for delivery.

Pound Hill Junior School and Holy Trinity CofE Secondary School, which are both in Crawley, are the other West Sussex schools to benefit.

Jeremy Hunt, WSCC cabinet member for education and skills, said: “It’s really great news that three schools in the county have been successful in their bid for funding from this project.

“Ensuring our children are able to learn and study in high quality environments is important and I’m delighted that pupils attending these schools will be able to reap the rewards.”

At this stage, the government has not confirmed how much each school is to receive. This information is expected in the next few months, once assessments have been carried out by the Department for Education.