Three South East Cornwall Schools Get Government Funding for Repairs

Failing boilers, leaking roofs and dated wiring are exactly the sort of thing a new pot of government money is meant to fix. And three schools in South East Cornwall are in line for a share of it.

Harrowbarrow Primary Academy, Callington Primary School and Trenode CofE VA Primary Academy are all set to benefit from extra money to improve their buildings, as part of the Labour government’s long-term plan for the school estate.

The three are among 684 schools and sixth-form colleges across England sharing grants worth more than £450 million through the Condition Improvement Fund, known as CIF. The money will help schools replace heating systems, mend roofs and update electrical works, among other projects, after what the government describes as years of declining buildings.

Part of a bigger plan for schools

The CIF money sits alongside a wider package of investment, including the School Rebuilding Programme, which is rebuilding and refurbishing schools across the country. That includes schools whose buildings contained dangerous RAAC materials.

Both programmes form part of Labour’s 10-year plan to renew buildings across education. The aim, the government says, is to make sure children in South East Cornwall can learn in classrooms that are fit for purpose.

CIF is only one slice of the spending. The government says it is putting more than £2.1 billion into improving the condition of schools during this year alone. On top of that, at least £3.7 billion is being invested between 2025 and 2030 to help councils provide places for children and young people with SEND or who need alternative provision, and to make mainstream settings more accessible and inclusive.

The government’s Education Estates Strategy sets out its plans for the years ahead, backed by what it calls a decade-long plan to transform schools and colleges.

What the local MP said

Anna Gelderd, Member of Parliament for South East Cornwall, welcomed the funding for the area.

“This funding will help to create more modern schools in South East Cornwall, where, for far too long, we have been left behind,” Anna said.

“By upgrading important infrastructure such as heating systems, there are fewer distractions in the classroom, and it ensures that staff can fully focus on the incredible work they do to teach our next generation.

“Congratulations to the schools that have been successful and thank you to everyone who was instrumental in the bidding process.”

What ministers said

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson was blunt about the state of school buildings under the previous government.

“The defining image of the school estate under the previous government was children sitting under steel props to stop crumbling concrete falling on their heads. It simply isn’t good enough,” Bridget said.

“Parents expect their children to learn in a safe warm environment. It’s what children deserve, and it is what we are delivering.

“This investment is about more than just buildings, it’s about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.”

Schools Minister Josh MacAlister said the money would let schools deal with problems early.

“Opportunity for our children starts with a great education, and children can only learn well in buildings that are safe, warm and fit for purpose, not classrooms disrupted by leaking roofs, failing boilers and declining buildings,” Josh said.

“This funding will help schools tackle urgent issues before they become bigger and more costly problems.

“It is part of our longer-term plan to break the cycle of schools and colleges doing patch-and-mend repairs, by committing to unprecedented long-term funding to improve the school and college estate, because world-class classrooms are key in helping children to achieve and thrive.”