Hundreds of headteachers have been left disappointed after the government revealed a list 261 run-down schools which are to receive funding from its Priority Schools Building Programme.
A total of almost 600 had applied to the scheme, which was introduced after the coalition government axed the Building Schools for the Future programme.
In a written ministerial statement, education secretary Michael Gove confirmed the names of the 261 schools and said that 42 of them – those in the most urgent need – would receive immediate support.
However, the Local Government Association (LGA) has warned that many more run-down schools have been let down. Cllr David Simmonds, chair of the LGA's Children and Young People Board, said: “We are still in a situation where more than 300 run-down schools have been left in limbo after lengthy delays in government decision-making.
“Councils will now work hard to put alternative plans in place. However, with councils' stretched education budgets having already suffered a 32 per cent cut there is little room for manoeuvre."
In his statement, Mr Gove said that some of those who had missed out will have their needs addressed through other funding. He added: “Where that is not the case, I will use the information from the national programme of surveys to ensure that, subject to funds available in the next spending review period, those schools which need renovation have their needs addressed as quickly as possible."
A list of the 261 schools is available online.
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