Funding for new schools in Scotland

A £230M investment will be made to replace 19 schools across Scotland.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed today that more than 6,500 pupils will benefit from the creation of 19 new schools across Scotland.

The Minister met with pupils and teachers at Queen Margaret Academy in South Ayrshire, which one is one of the schools set to be replaced under the scheme. The Academy will benefit from a new supported learning centre for up to 50 young people with complex learning needs.

The £230M investment is part of the final phase of the £1.8Bn ‘Schools for the Future’ programme and will see the total number of schools being constructed to 112.

Since its inception, the Schools for the Future programme has created around 11,000 construction jobs and 230 apprenticeships.

The First Minister said: “We are working hard to improve educational standards across the country to make sure that every child in Scotland has the ability to achieve their potential.

“Part of that is making sure that children have the right physical environment to learn in. This ambitious plan will replace older schools across the country with new, modern buildings that will bring benefits to the whole community.

“We had planned to build or refurbish 55 schools across Scotland, these new schools now take the total to 112 – more than double our original target. Since 2007, we have worked with local authorities to rebuild or refurbish 607 schools, resulting in the number of children educated in ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ condition schools falling by 60 per cent.

“This infrastructure investment programme has already generated an estimated 11,000 construction jobs and 230 apprenticeship placements. Now as these further developments begin construction we will see a further boost to the economy right across the country.”

Gemma Boggs, Schools Programme Director at Scottish Futures Trust said: “Today’s announcement builds on the huge progress SFT has made managing the Scotland’s Schools for the Future programme.

“We are working with all local authorities to achieve the very best value for the investment in their new schools which will be of benefit to thousands of pupils across Scotland, whilst also supporting many local SMEs when construction starts.”

All 19 schools are set to complete by 2020.

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