MORE than 170 academies and sixth form colleges across the South West will benefit from a £46 million government fund to improve buildings and expansion projects.


Education Secretary Nicky Morgan and Schools Minister David Laws announced that 171 academies and sixth form colleges across the South West will receive the share of £46 million for the improvements on Thursday, March 26.


£367 million will be invested in 2015 and 2016 for 1089 academies and sixth form colleges across England to tackle building condition issues or to support expansions as part of the government’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF).


Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “As part of our long term economic plan we have continued to invest in school buildings so thousands of pupils are taught in new schools and classrooms.


“The money provided through the CIF will help ensure that even more children have access to the best possible facilities and learn in an environment that gives them the knowledge and skills to succeed in the global race.”


Schools Minister David Laws said: “To create a stronger economy and a fairer society it is crucial that we invest in education, so that every child has a fair start in life.


“Since 2010 the government has invested more than £18 billion in school buildings, and we recently announced a further £6 billion to help drive-up school building standards across the country in the coming years.


“Thanks to CIF thousands more pupils and their teachers across England will benefit from safe, high-quality classrooms.”