TAUNTON Deane MP Rebecca Pow has welcomed the news that four schools in her constituency will receive a share of an improvement fund worth nearly £500 million.

A total of £498 million has been allocated for 1,405 projects at 1,129 academies, sixth-form colleges, and voluntary aided schools across England under the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF). 

The CIF is an annual bidding round for schools to secure capital funding to keep their buildings safe and in full working order.

The Department for Education announced the outcome of the 2022-23 CIF bidding round on Friday, May 13.

The list of successful projects includes these Taunton Deane schools to help them with the following projects:

  • Bishop Fox's School, Taunton (safeguarding and site security project)
  • Wellesley Park Primary School, Wellington (fire safety compliance project)
  • Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Taunton (urgent pupil washroom refurbishment)
  • Lyngford Park Primary School, Taunton (boiler and heating system replacement project)

Somerset County Gazette: Ms Pow has welcomed the funding boost for four schools in her constituency. Picture: SuppliedMs Pow has welcomed the funding boost for four schools in her constituency. Picture: Supplied

Speaking about the announcement, Ms Pow said: “Improving the quality of school buildings is a key part of the Government’s continued drive to level up education across England.

“This welcome funding will improve the facilities in a number of local schools, from updating heating systems to improving fire safety.

“I’ve long campaigned for a fairer funding deal for our rural schools which has improved the spending allocation in this region and this funding is an added benefit.

“However, I will keep up the pressure to ensure that all pupils in my constituency get the support they need to fulfil their potential.”

A total of nine other schools from Somerset have received an allocation of the CIF 2022-23 funding round:

  • Haygrove School, Bridgwater (pitched roof recovering works, boiler replacement project)
  • The Redstart Primary School, Chard (leaking roof replacement)
  • Whitstone School, Shepton Mallet (site security and child safeguarding project)
  • Selwood Academy, Frome (safeguarding boundary fencing)
  • St Michael's Academy, Yeovil (critical safeguarding improvements)
  • Manor Court Community Primary School, Chard (expired temporary classroom building)
  • Huish Episcopi Primary School, Langport (boiler room refurbishment)
  • Winsham Primary School, Yeovil (essential safeguarding improvements)
  • Spaxton CofE Primary School, Spaxton (critical heating works)