OnTheWight last week reported on the news that Isle of Wight funding bids in the second phase of the Government’s Priority School Building Programme (PSBP) had been successful.
The Department for Education said eleven Isle of Wight schools would receive the cash they’d bid for.
Cllr Geoff Lumley (Lab) has been in touch today, shedding a bit more light on what the money will be spent on.
Those expecting the eleven schools to be rebuilt or substantially refurbished will be disappointed.
How the money will be spent
Cllr Lumley had asked the council what the money would be used for and the response he received from a spokesperson from Children’s Services stated,
IOW submitted 39 bids for PSBP2 – 38 of which were related to the most pressing known health and safety concerns and threat to continuity of service provision in primary schools, including:
- Roof coverings
- Mechanical installations
- Electrical installations
- External Decorations
The secondary bid was submitted on behalf of Sandown Bay Academy and related to more significant need for refurbishment of a number of buildings.
Health and Safety of children in schools is obviously an important issue, so it’s great that money is coming to correct current problems.
Although it initially looked as though the Isle of Wight had received a bumper amount of money to rebuild/refurbish another 11 schools, the reality is less exciting.
Image: alancleaver under CC BY 2.0
