BRIDGWATER MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has welcomed the news that two schools in his constituency will receive a share of an improvement fund worth nearly £500 million.

Haygrove School in Bridgwater and Spaxton CofE Primary School have both received funding from the Department for Education's Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).

The CIF is an annual bidding round that allows schools to secure capital funding to address building issues they cannot resolve with their revenue. 

This include the poor condition of buildings, building compliance, energy efficiency, or health and safety issues.

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. 

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

Haygrove School received funding to support its pitched roof recovering works and a boiler replacement project.

Spaxton CofE Primary School has been allocated funding for critical heating works.

Bridgwater Mercury: Haygrove School is one of two in Mr Liddell-Grainger's constituency to receive a share of CIF funding. Picture: Lewis Clarke, GeographHaygrove School is one of two in Mr Liddell-Grainger's constituency to receive a share of CIF funding. Picture: Lewis Clarke, Geograph

Following confirmation of the funding, Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger said: “I’m delighted. Both Haygrove and Spaxton are excellent schools.

“The money will be used for the enhancement of pupils’ education and I have absolutely no doubt we will see enormous benefit in many of the young people’s results.”

Four schools in the Taunton and Wellington area also received a share of the CIF. 

Speaking about the announcement, Taunton Deane MP Rebecca 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.”

The other Somerset schools to receive funding from the 2022-23 CIF funding round are:

  • 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) 
  • 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)