Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Further Education Estate

Monday 21 July 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Applications to become construction technical excellence colleges closed on 4 July, with successful candidates to be informed in due course.
  • The Government have announced capital funding of 375 million to improve the condition of the estate and accommodate rising student numbers between 2026 and 2030.
  • The Minister is willing to meet local people to discuss the significant rebuilding required for the sixth form of the Lakes school near Windermere.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Catherine Atkinson Lab Derby North
Education Transport
Context

Derby's oldest surviving locomotive roundhouse is now a cutting-edge learning environment for local young people, but the site is over capacity and requires expansion.

Question

The oldest surviving locomotive roundhouse in Britain is in Derby, which now serves as a cutting-edge learning environment for construction skills. However, the site is at full capacity with 50% more space needed to increase its capacity in brickwork, carpentry, and joinery to address the shortage of skilled workers.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

Applications to become construction technical excellence colleges closed on 4 July. We look forward to informing successful candidates in due course. In addition, £375 million of capital investment will be invested between 2026 and 2030 to support post-16 capacity to accommodate the additional learners entering the system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm whether Derby college could become a CTEC or if the application was successful.

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Q2 Steve Race Lab Exeter
Education
Context

Exeter College and Exeter Maths School are rated outstanding by Ofsted but need capital investment to expand due to overcrowding.

Question

In Exeter, we have two highly successful FE institutions: Exeter College is rated outstanding by Ofsted for meeting the skills needs of the area, while Exeter Maths School is also rated outstanding. Both colleges are struggling with capacity and require additional funding to expand their operations.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

I join my hon. Friend in recognising the success of Exeter college and Exeter maths school, which are both outstanding. As he will know, the Government have announced capital funding to improve the condition of the estate and accommodate rising student numbers as we hope to replicate the success of these settings across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm whether Exeter college could become a CTEC or if he would meet with the Member to discuss support measures.

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Q3 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Education
Context

The Lakes School sixth form near Windermere is in need of a rebuild due to its poor condition and historical significance as the site where Holocaust survivors were rehabilitated.

Question

The sixth form of the Lakes school provides further education near Windermere but requires significant rebuilding. The site has historical importance, being where Holocaust survivors received rehabilitation. On the 80th anniversary of their arrival, will the Minister agree to meet me and local people to discuss a rebuild of the school with a memorial for the Windermere children?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

Ensuring that schools and colleges have the resources and buildings that they need is key to our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and ensure that every child can succeed and thrive. As always, I am very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not confirm if a meeting will be scheduled or the specific steps towards rebuilding the school with a memorial.

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Education Business & Trade
Context

The Member suggests partnerships between construction companies and educational institutions to improve the college estate while preparing students for jobs in the industry.

Question

Is it time to think outside traditional methods, such as through deals and partnerships with construction companies? This would give us the opportunity to improve the education and college estate while equipping people for future careers in construction or other fields. Partnerships could lead to innovative solutions.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education (Stephen Morgan)

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right: the construction sector is fundamental to the UK economy. That is why the Government’s industrial strategy includes a construction sector deal. We have committed £625 million to supporting construction skills training, and that funding includes capital investment through the establishment of technical excellence colleges and the creation of an employer match funding pot worth £80 million.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not address the idea of new partnership models specifically mentioned by the Member.

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