SEVERAL schools in and around Swindon will receive a share of government funding to carry out much-needed maintenance.

Replacing boilers, fixing leaky roofs, removing asbestos and improving fire safety have been part of the to-do list for nine schools in the borough.

Around England, 1,243 schools will receive a share of £434 million from the Condition Improvement Fund.

Lawn Manor Academy will have the funding needed to install a new automated fire safety system, The Commonweal School will refurbish its toilets, and Colebrook Infant Academy can repair fire breaks.

Lawn Manor head Sandra Muir said: “We’ve been delighted to win bids for various capital projects over the last few years, including £0.5m last year to replace the roofs of two buildings, a similar amount the year before to replace all the windows in West Manor, and funding to replace the windows in East Manor the year before that. Last year we also had £0.5m to put in a completely new boiler system, which is far more efficient and greener than the system we had before.

“We are very pleased to have been successful yet again in this round of bidding. Our current fire safety system always passes the annual fire risk assessment carried out by Swindon Borough Council, but the school was built in 1965 and standards have been updated, so this funding will enable us to bring the system right up to date.

“The new system is a fully automated electronic system, and has call points that will automatically detect a fire and raise the alarm. We will be installing new fire doors and frames with strips that, when exposed to heat, expand and close any gaps around the door to stop the fire spreading for a period of time.”

In Highworth, Southfield Junior School will start a weather-tightness project and Highworth Warneford School can begin phase two of its essential heating system replacement in the DT block.

Phase one for the main block and science block began after Warneford received a similar share of funding last year and should be mostly completed before September.

Business manager Lorraine Haywood said: “This will make a huge difference and will be fantastic for the school.

“The boiler is very antiquated and a lot of the pipework is very old - some of it might still be from when the school was built in 1959 - so it all needs to be ripped out and replaced.

“We were over the moon to be awarded funding for the second year in a row. The lockdown allowed us to speed up phase one because most children weren’t in school. We had applied for toilet renovation too, but that’ll be next year’s bid now.”

Bradon Forest School in Purton will replace its boilers, while Lydiard Millicent CofE Primary School can patch up leaking roofs.

Holy Family Catholic Primary School will use the money to refurbish its heating system, remove asbestos and carry out urgent repairs.

South Swindon MP Robert Buckland 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 our schools have the facilities and classrooms they need to support the high-quality education our children deserve.

“During my time as MP, I have thoroughly enjoyed regularly visiting the schools in my constituency and I am looking forward to being able to do this again when the time is right.

“ Education has always been a top priority for me, and I will continue to work to ensure that every student here in South Swindon has access to excellent education and training.

“Replacing and upgrading poor condition school and college buildings with modern, energy efficient designs will give our students and teachers the environment they deserve, and support them to maximise their potential.

“As we look forward to this September and all children returning to school, we can be assured that for years to come this country’s education system will drive opportunity and prosperity for all.”