Sherwood MP Mark Spencer welcomes extra investment for The Dukeries Academy, Ollerton and The Holgate Academy to improve facilities as part of the Conservative government’s School Rebuilding Programme

The Dukeries Academy and The Holgate Academy in Sherwood are two of the latest 239 schools across England set to benefit from the government’s ten-year School Rebuilding Programme, which has invested over £13bn to maintain and improve schools since 2015.

400 schools have been announced so far, with a further 100 expected to be confirmed in future years, which is said to deliver on the Conservative’s manifesto commitment to give every child access to a great school and a world-class education.

Work to rebuild the schools announced will start immediately, creating jobs, apprenticeships, and training opportunities around the country, backed by £1.8bn this financial year.

Sherwood MP Mark Spencer welcomed the announcement that The Dukeries Academy and The Holgate Academy have been selected as one of the latest schools that will be rebuilt or substantially refurbished as part of the fourth round of the programme.

The programme will provide the funding to transform 500 schools across England, delivering on a commitment to level up opportunity around the country by giving every child access to the best classrooms, wherever they go to school.

The School Rebuilding Programme is backed by £1.8bn of government funding this financial year, helping to rebuild and refurbish primary, secondary, and specialist schools, in addition to sixth form colleges around England.

The funding for The Dukeries Academy and The Holgate Academy will help to deliver state of the art learning environments for pupils, such as new classrooms, science labs, sports halls, and dining halls.

The majority of the projects are set to be completed in three to five years.

Each school in the programme has been selected based on the condition of its buildings, making sure the greatest improvements are delivered for schools that need them the most and maximising children’s chances to gain the skills and knowledge they need.

The new buildings will be more energy efficient for future winter resilience, helping schools keep bills down and meeting our Net Zero commitments.

Selected schools include primary, secondary, special schools, and 16-19 institutions, with over half of the successful schools in the Midlands and North, levelling up education across England.

Construction of new buildings at some of the previously announced schools is already underway, with a number of projects almost completed.

As well as delivering world-class learning environments for pupils, the School Rebuilding Programme will also create opportunities, jobs, and apprenticeships – from the construction industry to suppliers, businesses will be offering training as part of their involvement in the projects.

Mr Spencer said:“I firmly believe that the quality of facilities in schools have a significant impact on a student’s learning and I have been working closely with my colleagues at the Department for Education to secure investment in our schools, including those across Sherwood, to offer children the best opportunity to succeed.

“That is why I welcome the news that The Dukeries Academy and The Holgate Academy will both benefit from the latest round of the School Rebuilding Programme, backed by £1.8bn in 2022–34 to rebuild and refurbish 239 more schools across the country, including updating and modernising buildings by creating state of the art sports halls, music rooms, science labs, and dining areas.

“I am confident that this investment will improve the experience of students both across the country and at both of these fantastic schools within our constituency – helping them to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential.”

Commenting, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Education is a top priority for this government. That is why, despite facing challenging economic circumstances, we are investing a record amount in our schools and colleges. Today’s

announcement will transform hundreds of schools across the country and ensure they are fit for the future.

“The additional funding, alongside fantastic new facilities, will mean our brilliant teachers can get on with what they do best – and inspire the next generation.”