James Naish MP has welcomed new government funding that will support essential building repairs at Langar CofE Primary School – part of a £470 million national investment to make schools safer, warmer, and more energy-efficient.
The work will be funded through the Department for Education’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), which forms part of a wider £1.2 billion infrastructure package announced by the government to upgrade both schools and hospitals across England.
Langar CofE is among the schools set to receive targeted investment to address issues such as crumbling roofs, asbestos, and other serious structural concerns – longstanding problems that have put children and staff at risk due to ageing buildings and underinvestment. To secure the money, children at Langar CofE included handwritten letters and regularly recorded classroom temperatures after previous attempts to secure funding failed.
James Naish MP said: “I’m aware that a lot of teachers and families have concerns about the state of some of their school buildings, so I’m glad the government has listened. This investment means children will be learning in a safer, warmer environment.”
It includes £2.1 billion being spent on the school estate this year alone – a £300 million increase on last year’s budget.
The headteacher of Langar CofE, Jamie Walker-Jones, said: “At Langar, we have elected school councillors who get the opportunity to represent their friends at the Rushcliffe Schools Pupil Parliament. This is where our children first met James last term.”
“The same school council representatives had been working hard throughout the year to add evidence to our bid for a new school boiler. The school submitted many unsuccessful bids in years gone by, but this year, the children got involved. The class council members monitored temperature readings from their classrooms, wrote letters of complaint, and compiled their evidence with the headteacher.”
“It was so satisfying for the children to receive the news from James that the bid had been successful, and that the government will fund a new heating system. The children of Langar look forward to a much warmer winter in school!”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP said:
“Parents expect their children to learn in a safe, warm environment. That’s what they deserve – and that’s what we’re delivering. This is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about giving every child the opportunity to succeed.”
Alongside vital repairs, the government is also investing in energy-efficient school buildings, modern classrooms, and outdoor spaces that support learning, wellbeing, and aspiration. Projects will be delivered during the 2025/26 financial year, with the first upgrades expected to begin this summer.
• East Midlands Airport offering flights to Turkey from next summer
