Artist's impressions of the new South Nottinghamshire Academy

Pupils go back to school in 21st-century facilities

Twenty-eight schools open state-of-the-art buildings as part of £4.4 billion building programme

Posted by Stephanie Broad | September 08, 2016 | Bricks & mortar

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• #academies

Across the country, 28 schools will be opening the door this September to new, modern buildings provided by the government’s £4.4 billion priority school building programme (PSBP). 

Lord Nash, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the School System, said: “The priority school building programme is transforming hundreds of school buildings on budget and ahead of schedule ensuring that all children, regardless of background, can learn in an environment that will help them fulfil their potential.” 

The PSBP is transforming the most run-down schools in the country by providing new facilities including bright classrooms, inspiring libraries and specialist music facilities. The new buildings will ensure pupils have the right environment to help them fulfil their potential. 

South Nottinghamshire Academy is one of those to reopen through the programme following a £12 million rebuild. The academy will open its doors to a brand new three-storey building with purpose-built science and technology areas and improved library and IT facilities. 

Lansdowne School, a special school in south London, has been equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to teach pupils with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD), thanks to £7.7 million funding through the programme. The new building includes an open dining area and a modern learning resource centre, as well as space for the school to introduce new post-16 provision. 

A total of 537 schools will benefit from construction through the two phases of the PSBP.