Both programmes are government funded initiatives that aim to transform every secondary school in the country and improve over half of all primary schools. In Wigan, we have linked these two initiatives in our Wigan Schools for the Future programme to make the most of the funding available.
The WSF programme is not only about investing funds in new buildings and resources, but also about using this opportunity to improve education and learning for all.
Building Schools for the Future (BSF)
Building Schools for the Future will see over £220m invested to transform secondary schools across the borough.
Our plans are still at consultation and planning stage and the proposals include:
- Building a new secondary school for Lowton and Golborne on the Lowton Civic Hall site. Lowton J&I and a children’s centre would also be co-located on the same site to form a learning campus for pupils aged 4-19;
- Rebuilding Hindley High School and expanding it from 935 to 1125 places;
- Expanding and remodelling Westleigh High School from 775 to 1,250 pupils
- Remodelling Bedford High Schools;
- Transforming Hesketh Fletcher and PEMBEC high schools sites into 14-19 centres, offering a broader range of educational and vocational opportunities including the new diploma style qualifications.
Primary Capital Programme (PCP)
Nationally, the Primary Capital Programme (PCP) involves almost £1.9 billion of new capital investment in primary schools in England over a three year period from 2008/09 to 2010/11. Subject to future spending decisions, funding is expected to continue until 2023.
The programme will renew at least half of all primary schools in England by 2022/23, bringing them up to 21st century standards, with wider services for children and families at the heart of their local communities.
PCP will give us about £3m a year over fifteen years to improve around half our primary schools.
The programme aims to take out of use at least the worst 5% of primary school buildings; give 45% of primary schools major investment to rebuild their school and ensure that the remaining 50% have sufficient investment to maintain and improve their buildings.
Schools for the Future
In Wigan, the objective of our Schools for the Future programme is to raise standards, transform learning and place schools at the heart of their communities by:
- Providing modern and better designed schools that are able to meet the needs of the 21st century curriculum;
- Offering a high quality education in learning centres that are inspiring and offer learners a wide range of pathways towards their chosen careers.
- Providing pupils with a wide range of academic and vocational courses that help them reach their full potential, not just GCSEs;
- Ensuring that the latest ICT is available to all learners – wireless enabled technology and interactive whiteboards will be used to enhance the learning experience of every student;
- Expanding the use of school premises to provide better facilities for all the community, not just young people. New sports and community facilities will be located in the same building and will be available for use by everyone in the local community.
