SCHOOLS in an East Lancashire borough are set to benefit from a share of £498million funding to improve the condition of their buildings.

Eight schools in Pendle are to receive a share of the funding from the Condition Improvement Fund, which is being divided between 1,405 projects at 1,129 academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary aided schools around the country. 

The main aim of the fund is keeping eligible school buildings safe and in good working order, and supporting schools to address significant issues they cannot meet using their own revenue.

This includes addressing issues such as poor building condition, building compliance, energy efficiency and health and safety.

Among the successful bids from Pendle schools were projects to improve fire safety, replace boilers, rewiring and better site security.

Castercliff Primary Academy was also successful in obtaining support to build new classrooms.

This funding is only available to schools, colleges and academies that Ofsted has rated good or outstanding and that need to expand their existing facilities or floor space to increase the number of admissions or address overcrowding.

Conservative MP for Pendle, Andrew Stephenson, said: “It is fantastic to see so many projects for school improvements in Pendle awarded funding, with schools from Blacko to Barnoldswick seeing much needed investment.

“With eight projects awarded funding and awards worth £350,000 on average, this represents a potential £3.85m investment in our local schools.

“I remain committed to working closely with local schools to support them in their mission to drive up the quality of education on offer in Pendle.”

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi confirmed the eight Pendle schools which will receive funding through the 2022-23 round of the government’s Condition Improvement Fund are:

• Colne Primet Academy

• Great Marsden St John’s Primary School, A Church of England Academy

• Castercliff Primary Academy

• West Craven High School

• Blacko Primary School

• Laneshaw Bridge Primary

• Colne Lord Street School

• Colne Park High School

The core priority of CIF is keeping eligible academy, sixth-form college and voluntary aided school buildings safe and in good working order.

Most CIF funding aims to support schools in addressing issues with significant consequences such as poor building condition, building compliance, energy efficiency and health and safety.

Chief executive of Pendle Education Trust, Anita Ghidotti, said: "We are delighted to secure over £1.2million funding for further improving the buildings the schools in our Trust family – another year of successful bids working in partnership with Lea Hough to benefit our children."

Chief Executive of the Pennine Trust, John Tarbox, said: "We are really pleased that once again, the Trust has been awarded capital funds that will make a real difference in each of our schools.

"Since its inception, the Trust has been very successful in securing grants from several sources and through a successful partnership with Lea Hough.

"Upgrading our facilities is one of the top priorities for the trustees and we will continue to invest in developing the very best environment for our pupils."