A £1.31 million investment programme is moving forward to deliver essential building improvements at local authority-maintained schools.
The funding, provided via the Department for Education’s (DfE) ‘Condition Funding’ allocation, is designed to enhance the safety, sustainability, and quality of school environments. This capital investment ensures that school buildings and grounds remain fit for purpose, providing young people with the best possible setting for their education.
Each year, local maintained schools are invited to bid for this funding for large-scale projects. Applications are assessed by Warrington’s Education Capital Planning Group (ECPG), supported by the council’s building surveyors.
This year’s investment delivers important upgrades at the following sites:
- Newchurch Primary School: A range of improvements, including replacement boilers and hot water heaters, alongside fire safety improvements and the refurbishment of Key Stage 2 toilets to improve condition and accessibility.
- Fox Wood Satellite Site (Sandy Lane Nursery and Forest School): Remedial works, including repairs to the boiler, electrical installations, and access control systems.
- Grappenhall Heys Primary School: Installation of a new boiler and hot water system.
- Woolston Learning Village: Exploration of improvements to external access/egress and car parking.
In addition to the main programme, the council’s Cabinet, at its meeting of 12 January, approved the allocation of a further £650,000 of Condition Funding to carry out fire safety improvements at Thelwall Junior School. This project will focus on a range of measures, including the replacement of fire doors and ceilings, and upgrades to emergency lighting and fire detection systems.
Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s services and education, Cllr Matt Smith, welcomed the investment, saying: “This funding will make a real difference to local schools, prioritising essential building improvements, from fire safety upgrades and boiler replacements to the refurbishment of key facilities.
“It supports our work to ensure pupils and staff have access to high-quality, inclusive and accessible learning environments that are not only modern but, crucially, are safe and compliant with the latest legislation.”
