School Buildings Northumberland and Newcastle 2025-05-20

Opened the debate

I am glad to raise concerns about the conditions of school buildings in Northumberland, Newcastle, and across the country. The dedication of teachers and staff ensures students can access quality education despite challenging infrastructure issues. Prudhoe community high school was closed due to structural cracks, highlighting inadequate investment under previous governments. The situation at Berwick Academy with black mould in toilets further underscores the urgent need for better standards. I call for an investigation into how this has gone wrong and a commitment from the government to ensure safe learning environments.

Government Response

The Minister acknowledges concerns about the conditions of schools in Northumberland and Newcastle. She highlights ongoing support from the Department for Education during crises such as Prudhoe Community High School's closure. The minister outlines steps taken to improve school infrastructure, including significant funding through various programmes designed to rebuild and refurbish schools across the country. She commits to investigating specific cases where issues arise, emphasising the importance of ensuring safe learning environments for all students. Additionally, she discusses the need for robust maintenance plans to prevent future crises. I thank my hon. Friend Joe Morris for securing a debate on this important subject. The Government is committed to improving school building conditions, investing £2.1 billion in the current financial year and planning further improvements through the Building Schools for Future programme. We are addressing specific issues like reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete removal and working closely with local authorities and schools to ensure safe educational environments. For Prudhoe Community High School, we have provided advice and support since February 2025, relocating students to Sunderland College Washington campus and focusing on returning them to the school site as soon as possible. We are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity and ensuring every child has access to high-quality buildings for learning.