Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

School Buildings

Monday 12 June 2023 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Corbet School in North Shropshire has 25% of its teaching space in old demountable buildings.
  • Valley Leadership Academy in Rossendale faces under-investment issues with unfit buildings.
  • Asbestos management in schools is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Education
Context

The Corbet School in North Shropshire, a small rural academy trust secondary school with around 750 pupils, has significant issues with its teaching space due to old demountable buildings. 25% of the school's teaching space is in these temporary structures, impacting student learning environments.

Question

I recently visited the Corbet School in my constituency, a small rural academy trust secondary school with around 750 pupils. It has significant issues with its teaching space due to old demountable buildings; 25% of the school's teaching space is in these temporary structures. How can small rural schools like this better access funding to improve their building conditions to ensure students have equivalent opportunities as those in urban areas?

Answer from Nick Gibb

We take into account the condition of any school's buildings when giving capital funding either to local authorities or trusts. It is up to these bodies to decide how best to distribute that funding based on local needs. All schools, including rural ones like Corbet School, have an opportunity to be nominated for our school rebuilding programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures and criteria for small rural schools accessing funding were not provided

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Q2 Helen Morgan Lib Dem North Shropshire
Education
Context

The Valley Leadership Academy, part of the Star chain of academies in Rossendale, has inadequate school buildings and is under-invested. The estate is not fit for purpose despite delivering quality education.

Question

I want to thank the Department for its rebuilding programme, especially for schools like Whitworth's brand-new facility, Haslingden High and All Saints' schools. However, the Valley Leadership Academy in Rossendale suffers from under-investment with unfit buildings. Will my right hon. Friend consider this school favourably when distributing funding?

Answer from Nick Gibb

I take note of what you said about the Valley Leadership Academy's condition and its impact on education. The decision-making process for distributing capital funding is based on thorough nationwide assessments of school conditions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific criteria or assurances were not provided regarding future funding rounds

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Q3 Jake Berry Con
Education
Context

Many schools across the country have asbestos, which is not being removed due to lack of special funding. This poses a significant risk to students' safety.

Question

There are many schools with asbestos that need immediate attention as they become dangerous. While governing bodies are advised to identify asbestos, there is no directed funding for removal beyond individual school budgets. What will the Minister do to ensure asbestos in schools is removed?

Answer from Nick Gibb

Asbestos management in schools is regulated by the Health and Safety Executive, with whom we work closely. Detailed guidance on managing asbestos was published in 2020. When addressing asbestos issues in a school, it significantly influences decisions for rebuilding under the school programme.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions to ensure removal of asbestos were not provided

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Q4 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Education Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Tipton St John Primary School was recently flooded, necessitating the rescue of children and staff by the fire service. This highlights the urgent need for a new school site.

Question

Children and staff at Tipton St John Primary School needed rescuing during recent flooding incidents due to its location. As sites are being assessed by the Department, will my right hon. Friend meet me to discuss the urgency of building a new school in a safe location?

Answer from Nick Gibb

I am sorry about the flooding incident at Tipton St John Primary School and its impact on the community. The school was chosen for the rebuilding programme to secure long-term safety from future floods. Officials are collaborating with relevant bodies like Devon County Council to find a new, safe site.

Answered
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Q5 Simon Jupp
Education Housing
Context

The Corbet School in North Shropshire faces challenges with outdated buildings and temporary structures, impacting student learning conditions.

Question

After visiting the well-run but infrastructure-challenged Corbet School in my constituency, which relies on 25% demountable teaching space due to limited permanent facilities, how can small rural schools access funding for building improvements to match urban school opportunities?

Answer from Nick Gibb

We consider the condition of any school's buildings when allocating capital funding either to local authorities or trusts. It is up to these bodies to distribute funds according to local needs, including small rural schools like Corbet School.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for accessing funding were not detailed beyond distribution criteria

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