Robbie Moore MP has visited Ilkley Grammar School to meet with its Headteacher Carly Purnell. The pair discussed a number of issues, including the need for funds to carry out significant school building improvements.
Mr Moore had previously raised the matter in the House of Commons Chamber almost a year ago referencing the urgent need for funds so Ilkley Grammar can carry out vital repairs but also improve the school estate. With the government confirming in July that Mr Moore was successful in lobbying for the school to receive funding as part of its bid to the Department for Education’s School Rebuilding programme, Mr Moore visited the school for an update on the surveying work and to ensure the project will fully deliver on the school’s needs.
In a letter to Mr Moore, Education Minister Baroness Barran said that the funding will be allocated to “help transform the educational environment so pupils at the school benefit for decades to come”. The government has committed £1.8 billion in the financial year 2022-23 to improve the condition of school buildings across the UK as part of over £13 billion allocated since 2015. An announcement will be made soon on the exact funding package the school receives based on the survey results.
Robbie Moore MP said:
“Ilkley Grammar is an exemplary school, and having had a tour with the Head, Carly Purnell, it is clear the staff are doing a fantastic job at maintaining extremely high standards across the board.
It is of course vital that we draw down the funds from government to improve the School’s buildings as soon as we can. It was therefore good to hear surveying work has been undertaken following the July announcement that Ilkley Grammar has been included within the government’s School Rebuilding Programme. I am so glad that after intense lobbying in Westminster, Ilkley Grammar will benefit as some of the buildings are in urgent need of repair or replacement. I will now be lobbying hard to ensure the funds deliver on Ilkley Grammar’s requirements, and I will continue to raise the case in Westminster with the Department for Education team.”
