Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Dorset Schools: Quality of Classrooms

Monday 4 July 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial funding of over 13 billion since 2015 aims to improve school conditions, including 1.8 billion for the current year.
  • Dorset schools received 2.3 million for investments in maintained schools and five condition improvement fund projects were approved.
  • Nominations to the school rebuilding programme are under assessment, with up to 300 schools expected to be confirmed this year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Loder
Education
Context

The MP seeks to improve classroom quality in schools across Dorset, highlighting the need for better facilities and infrastructure.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve the quality of classrooms in schools in Dorset. Schools require improved conditions with a focus on replacing temporary structures and fixing outdated systems like boilers.

Answer from Robin Walker

Improving the condition of schools is a priority for the Department with over £13 billion allocated since 2015, including £1.8 billion this year; Dorset received £2.3 million to invest in maintained schools and there were five successful condition improvement fund projects approved.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Loder
Education
Context

The MP continues to press for investment in The Gryphon School and Dorchester Middle School, highlighting the urgent need for replacement of temporary classrooms and boilers.

Question

I hope I am not giving my hon. Friend the Minister a headache by keeping on reminding him about The Gryphon School in Sherborne, but it desperately needs its temporary classrooms to be replaced. I shall be grateful to hear from him on that. Furthermore, will he help me with Dorchester Middle School? The school, which is nearly 100 years old, has lodged a bid to replace boilers that do not work, and its bid for capital improvement funds has been rejected.

Answer from Robin Walker

Nominations to the school rebuilding programme are being assessed, and we expect to confirm up to 300 schools this year; all appeals for condition improvement fund applications are carefully considered, with outcomes expected shortly.

Partly answered

Not addressed: commitment to an individual school at this stage

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Q3 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Education
Context

The MP seeks information on the status of applications for the school rebuilding programme, particularly for Lydiate Primary School and schools in Dorset.

Question

I know that schools in Dorset applied to the schools rebuilding programme. I know, too, that the Minister appreciates the importance of informing schools of their place on the programme as soon as possible. However, Under-Secretary of State for Education Baroness Barran told me that schools will be informed later this year. Can the Minister say when schools in Dorset and Lydiate Primary School in my constituency will be told whether they will receive the money that they desperately need?

Answer from Robin Walker

The Department has engaged with Lydiate Primary School previously; all local authorities were contacted to nominate schools for the next round of the rebuilding programme, expecting outcomes later this year but some may be informed sooner.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline for informing individual schools

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