ERIC Pickles visited Park Hill Junior School today as the primary celebrated the announcement that it would be one of almost 300 schools in the country to get a share of £6 billion improvement works.
The communities secretary's visit coincided with government plans revealed today to provide children in 277 schools with high quality classrooms and give teachers access to the best facilities part of the long term plan for education.
The government's Priority School Building Programme will see £2 billion invested in rebuilding and refurbishing schools, with £4 billion allocated between in the next three years to local authorities, academy trusts and voluntary-aided partnerships to better the condition of schools across the country.
Park Hill Junior and Bensham Manor Special School in Croydon are two of just 41 schools in the capital to benefit from a slice of the cash.
Cathy Daniels, head teacher of Park Hill Junior School, said the exciting upgrading of the older parts of the school's building will help children take pride in their work an reflect how much they are valued.
"It will also allow me and my team to focus on the children's learning, rather than nursing along an old building which is in a poor state of repair," she said.
Gavin Barwell MP said he is a "passionate champion" of Croydon's schools. He work has seen more money coming into the borough for extra school places, Quest Academy rebuilt and an extra £12.4 million revenue funding this year.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: "It is crucial that we invest properly in education, so that every child has a fair start in life. Thousands of pupils will benefit from better, brighter, warmer classrooms thanks to this funding. Children can't learn and teachers can't teach in schools that are cold and have leaking roofs.
"To create a stronger economy we have to invest in a fairer society so that our young people can be successful in the future."
