Pupils and staff at six schools in Croydon are to benefit from the roll-out of a multi-million-pound maintenance programme, funded by the government, with £110.3million being invested in schools across London through the Condition Improvement Fund.
Fixing the roof: Norbury High is one school which will have essential maintenance carried out this year
The schools will benefit from projects intended to fix crumbling roofs and remove dangerous asbestos – “restoring pride in England’s classrooms and undoing a decade and a half of dangerous Conservative neglect”, according to the government.
The Croydon schools where this essential maintenance work is likely to begin this summer are:
- BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology
- Norbury High School for Girls
- St Thomas Becket Catholic Primary School
- St Mary’s Catholic Junior and Infants
- Beckmead College
- Orchard Way Primary School
“With free breakfast clubs, more affordable school uniforms, and safer school buildings, Labour is helping to set every child up for the best start,” said Sarah Jones, the Labour MP for Croydon West.
“Croydon parents won’t forget the fear caused by the RAAC crisis — a moment when it felt like children’s safety at school was no longer guaranteed due to years of Conservative neglect.
“Labour is taking real action through our Plan for Change, starting with repairing the very foundations of our schools so that every child has a safe space to learn,” MP Jones said.
Hard hat: MP Sarah Jones has welcomed the funding for Croydon’s schools
Maintained schools and schools in larger academy trusts receive capital funding via the council or their trust, rather than via the Condition Improvement Fund, so not all schools are eligible for support from the CIF.
The funding is necessary to fix what the Labour government calls “the dire state of public services” inherited after 15 years of Conservative-led government and deliver investment and reform through the Plan for Change, supporting children to get the best start in life.
It is part of a record £2.1billion investment in the school estate this year.
“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,” said Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary.
The improvements promised include energy-efficient, warm classrooms with safe outdoor spaces.
According to a government press release, “A further £1.4billion will back the acceleration of the School Rebuilding Programme this year, with a commitment to kickstart projects at 100 schools this year alone.”
The government is promising new sports halls, IT rooms and school kitchens.
Projects will be delivered during the 2025 to 2026 financial year, with the first upgrades expected to begin this summer.
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