Five Norfolk schools secure shares of £450m building fund

However, fears have been raised that changes to the long-running fund are putting schools off applying for the support.

The government has confirmed that 106 schools in the east of England are set to receive £57m to fund building upgrades as part of its condition improvement fund (CIF).

Of these, five are in Norfolk, with funded works including roof repairs and improvements to fire safety systems.

The annual fund allows small academy trusts or voluntary aided bodies to apply for cash to upgrade their buildings.

The five successful projects are:

• Hobart High School in Loddon - replacement of failed roof covering
• Aslacton Primary School - fire alarm and emergency lighting upgrade
• Manor Field Infant and Nursery School in Long Stratton - fire alarm and emergency lighting upgrade
• Blenheim Park Academy in Sculthorpe - fire safety improvements
• East Norfolk Sixth Form Academy - replacement fire safety system

Meanwhile, The Ashley School in Lowestoft has also secured funding to replace its fire doors.

Jim Adams, chief executive of Clarion Corvus (Image: Archant)

Jim Adams, chief executive of the Clarion Corvus Trust, which runs three of the schools - Hobart, Aslacton and Manor Field - however, said he was concerned recent changes to the criteria were dissuading applications.

He said: "We have been relatively successful with CIF bids over the years - totalling millions.

"The need for the trust to contribute, however, is relatively recent and I'm sure puts some academies and trusts off making bids."

He said the roof project has cost almost £480,000, of which around £330,000 has been grant-funded.

Damian Hinds, the government's schools minister, said: "We want every child to realise their potential and great school buildings are just one part of our work to drive up standards across the education system."