The Government is committed to rebuilding and renewing secondary school buildings in England over the next 10 to 15 years. This initiative is called Building Schools for the Future (BSF). BSF aims to have school buildings that:
- Have 21st century facilities;
- Are a source of pride and are well used by the whole community; and
- Inspire learning and nurture every pupil and member of staff.
There are exciting opportunities to alter and further improve secondary schools in Wigan. This is because the population of Wigan is changing and schools that were in the right place many years ago may no longer be in the right place for the community they serve today. Also, pupil numbers in secondary schools are expected to fall from around 21,000 at present to around 17,000 by 2014, meaning that the Council can consider changing the present number of schools and their sizes.
The Government will make funds available to Councils on a phased basis, nationally, so that they can rebuild or renew their secondary schools. In order to prioritise Councils according to need, the Government has considered current levels of deprivation and educational standards. Wigan has been told that it will receive its BSF funds in years 10 to 12 of the 15 year programme, with an estimated start date of 2012.
In advance of this programme, Wigan will be taking part in the one school pathfinder programme. This provides the Council with capital funding to rebuild one secondary school by September 2009.
Due to falling secondary school rolls, Wigan is conducting a review of its secondary schools in advance of BSF.
Please follow the links below for further details about BSF in Wigan.
