Kelly launches £7bn+ scheme to rebuild primary schools

Education secretary Ruth Kelly has launched the first wave of a £7 billion-plus building programme for primary school buildings.

The programme will see an initial investment of £1.15 billion in the scheme, which will demolish or rebuild over half of all primary school buildings. Future funding could top £7 billion.

The proposals put forward for consultation involve demolishing or rebuilding over 900 of the worst condition primary schools and significantly improving a further 8,000 primary schools across the country by 2022.

The scheme, known as the Primary Capital Programme, follows the government's commitment to rebuild or refurbish every secondary school over the next 15 years, with £6.5 billion already committed.

Ruth Kelly said: "Inspiring purpose-built buildings are a key part of providing an inspiring personalised education, fitted around the needs of young people."

"The plan we are putting forward today shows we are committed to tearing down and refurbishing those buildings no longer fit for purpose, supporting schools in being at the very heart of their communities."