Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School in Ramsgate has been selected as one of 239 schools to receive funding in the latest wave of the government’s School Rebuilding Programme.
The scheme, which is in its fourth phase of projects, provides funding for major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at school and sixth-form college buildings across England.
Chatham & Clarendon Grammar applied to the fund in February in a bid to create a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) building. This will replace its ageing science building – known as the Redman Block- five Maths mobiles, one Sports Science mobile and three Design Technology mobiles.
The grammar school has been attempting to gain grants for the works for many years but had previously been unsuccessful.
Today (December 16_ the school received notification from Baroness Barran, Under-Secretary of State for Schools, that it has been provisionally prioritised under Wave 4 of the School Rebuilding programme. The first schools from this wave are expected to enter the delivery phase for projects between April 2023 and March 2024.
Headteacher Debra Liddicoat said: “Since becoming Head of this wonderful school in 2012, I have been mindful of the need to improve some of our buildings which I must admit have been very difficult to work within.
“It is a testament to both our wonderful staff and students who have worked so resiliently, in these trying environments, that we can now offer them a significantly improved teaching and learning working space. I cannot wait for the building works to start.
“We will now look forward to working with DfE colleagues in the New Year to help us achieve our goal of a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) building at long last.”
The School Rebuilding Programme is backed by £1.8 billion of government funding this financial year. The majority of the projects are set to be completed in three to five years.
New buildings will be more energy efficient for future winter resilience, helping schools keep bills down.
The 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.
South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay MP said: “The quality of facilities in schools can have a significant impact on a student’s learning and I have been working closely with the Conservative Government to secure investment in our schools to offer children the best opportunity to succeed.
“That’s why I welcome the news that Chatham & Clarendon Grammar School will benefit from the latest round of the School Rebuilding Programme, backed by £1.8 billion 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. As a science graduate myself, improvements to science facilities will always get my support.
“This investment will improve the experience of students across the country – helping them to learn, develop, and achieve their full potential.”
Birchington Primary School has also been selected for the rebuild project.
The school has been contacted for further details.
