Education questions reveals new money for schools

On 25 January 2016 I was able to raise the issue of the increasing capacity need in schools following the Government’s policy on free childcare. Some Heads have riased the issue with me that if more children can access the free childcare they would have to increase the physical capacity in schools.  I asked :

Valerie Vaz (Walsall South) (Lab): Will the Minister say what support schools will be given to accommodate the extra intake?

Mr Gyimah: That is an excellent question. There are many excellent school nurseries available. She may be aware that, as part of our last spending review, we announced £50 million of capital funding, and that we will be working with schools that need to expand to be able to deliver the cost of childcare.

This is welcome news and following some research I identified that the announcement of the extra funds was made in the Autumn Statement . I have written to the Heads of the Primary schools in Walsall South to let them know extra money is available should they need to increase the capacity of their school.