MP welcomes £250,000 funding for Swindon school

Swindon's Westlea Primary School is to receive £250,000 to improve its facilities.

The money is from a nationwide Government investment totalling £560m, intended to expand classrooms, upgrade facilities and generally improve education.

The Government says the funding brings the total allocated to improve the condition of school buildings to £2 billion this year - paving the way for a 10-year school building programme starting later this year with over £1bn in funding for the first wave of 50 schools. 

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland welcomed the announcement that Westlea Primary School was to benefit.

He said: “Coronavirus has taken a toll on us all, not least our children, who have been kept from their friends, their teachers and their schools.

 “As we exit lockdown, we must focus on getting children back to school – and ensure that schools have the facilities and classrooms they need to support the high-quality education our children deserve.”

Headteacher Sarah Sumner said: “Since taking on the headship, I have spent a lot of time and energy on making the school look loved. 

"The money will be fully invested in making the school a vibrant educational environment for the children.”

Chair of Governors Bob Barrett also welcomed the news, saying: “On behalf of the school community, I want to say how grateful we are for this very generous award. 

"The money will be very carefully invested into improving all aspects of the school.”