Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

School Buildings

Monday 23 October 2023 · 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 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Tim Farron requested a meeting with the Minister to discuss the necessary rebuilding of the Lakes School due to outdated facilities.
  • The Minister confirmed that they are working with the diocese of Exeter and Devon County Council to identify a suitable site for a new school to replace the flood-prone Tipton St John primary school.
  • The Minister reported that 214 schools and colleges are on the RAAC list, with 94% of pupils in these institutions currently in full-time, face-to-face education.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Education
Context

The question follows concerns about the condition of school buildings and their impact on education quality. The MP references specific instances where school conditions are inadequate, affecting student learning environments.

Question

I am concerned about steps to improve school buildings. My constituency's Lakes School needs a full rebuild due to outdated facilities, despite potential funding from charitable and private sources. Will the Minister meet me and school leaders to discuss supporting this necessary rebuilding?

Answer from Nick Gibb

Absolutely; I will be delighted to meet the hon. Gentleman. We want all our schools, including excellent schools such as the Lakes School in the Lake district, to have the best-quality school buildings. That is our priority, and I will be delighted to meet him and teachers at the school to discuss how to make it happen in his constituency.

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Q2 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Education Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The question arises from concerns about the safety and educational impact of a flood-prone primary school. The MP requests expedited action for a new site to ensure students have a safe learning environment.

Question

This Conservative Government will fund a new school to replace the flood-prone Tipton St John primary school, but this can happen only once a suitable alternative site is found. Will my right hon. Friend do everything possible to speed up the process so that pupils have a safe new school as soon as possible?

Answer from Nick Gibb

We are working actively with the diocese of Exeter and with Devon County Council to identify suitable sites for the school. Site appraisals are due to be completed by the end of this year. Once a site is identified, we will work with the diocese and the council to expedite the acquisition of the site. I fully understand and share my hon. Friend's desire for urgency in this matter.

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Q3 Simon Jupp
Education
Context

The question addresses the ongoing issue of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC)-affected educational institutions. The MP references the Government's recent additions to the RAAC list, affecting numerous schools and colleges.

Question

Last week, the Government added another 41 schools and colleges to the RAAC list, bringing the total to 214. Some are still waiting for temporary classrooms or studying in cramped conditions. Can the Minister confirm the number of pupils already impacted and expected to be impacted? When will all children receive uninterrupted face-to-face learning?

Answer from Nick Gibb

I congratulate the hon. Lady on her first Education questions and her appointment as shadow Schools Minister. She is right: there are 214 schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC. Of those 214, pupils at 202 or 94% are in full-time, face-to-face education, and 12 schools or colleges offer hybrid face-to-face and remote education. Our objective and focus is to ensure that schools are supported to continue face-to-face education.

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