Five schools in Harrow are set to receive funding for urgent repairs and upgrades as part of a nationwide £1.2 billion investment in school infrastructure.
The funding has been announced through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) and marks a £300 million increase from the previous year.
The successful schools in Harrow include Bentley Wood High School, Rooks Heath School, Whitefriars School, Earlsmead Primary School and Hatch End High School.
Works will include boiler and heating system upgrades, fire safety improvements, window replacements, and electrical works.
At Bentley Wood High School, the funding will go towards replacing the boiler and heating system.
Rooks Heath School will receive improvements to fire safety and electrics, along with upgrades to heating and ventilation.
Whitefriars School will have its timber windows replaced, along with electrical and fire safety updates.
Earlsmead Primary School will also get funding for fire safety and electrical improvements.
Hatch End High School will benefit from new fire alarms and emergency lighting, as well as upgrades to fire doors and other safety measures.
The repairs are due to start this summer and are expected to be completed by next spring. The funding forms part of wider government efforts to ensure school buildings are safe, energy efficient, and fit for pupils’ needs.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “This investment is about more than unsafe buildings – it’s about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life”.
Councillor Stephen Hickman, Harrow’s Shadow Portfolio Holder for Education and Children’s Services, said: “Schoolchildren in Harrow deserve safe, warm and high-quality classrooms to give them the best start in life. I am pleased to see that this Labour government is beginning the important work of restoring our essential public infrastructure.
“Staff, students and parents of Bentley Wood High School, Rooks Heath School, Whitefriars School, Earlsmead Primary School and Hatch End High School will all be relieved to know their schools will be receiving the much-needed repairs to make them fit for learning.”
The full list of repairs confirmed for Harrow schools is as follows:
- Bentley Wood High School: urgent boiler and heating distribution replacement (Phase 2)
- Rooks Heath School: urgent fire safety and electrical improvements (Phase 2), and urgent heating and ventilation improvements
- Whitefriars School: urgent timber window replacement and associated works, plus urgent fire safety and electrical improvements
- Earlsmead Primary School: urgent fire safety and electrical improvements
- Hatch End High School: urgent fire door replacement and compartmentation improvements, and urgent fire alarm and emergency lighting replacement
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
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