Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge students and staff at King Alfred School are celebrating this week after a huge funding boost.
The school has received £1.2 million from the Department for Education towards much-needed building upgrades, including replacement roofs across the site.
The school is among only a third of Britain’s schools to receive funding awards from the national Condition Improvement Fund, delighting the school’s team.
Among those welcoming the news is Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge’s MP James Heappey, who called for funding in Parliament last year.
During a visit to the school on Monday (April 9th), he told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I am pleased that the government has been able to find such a large amount of money to complete these necessary works at King Alfred School.”
“This money, alongside the huge effort being put in by staff, parents and students, will no doubt enable the school to continue its rapid improvement over the next few years.”
It is more positive news for King Alfred School, which recently received an Easter report from Ofsted inspectors saying that it is improving, with very “effective action” towards the removal of Special Measures.
The funding boost is the latest development in a series of improvements at the school.
Since October, the school has been assisted by The Priory Learning Trust, which is supporting it fully to put in place measures to improve outcomes.
The school says its students are on course to achieve strong GCSE results this year and it has also brightened up its site with inspirational portraits, new signage and better facilities.
Neville Coles, Executive Principal of The Priory Learning Trust, said: “This is more good news for King Alfred School. We are working every day to make this school brilliant in every way.”
“This award is largely thanks to the strong team we have at The Priory Learning Trust in winning awards, with hard work and skill. One of the benefits of being a MAT (multi academy trust) is to ensure that we are financially strong and can continue to provide our children with first class facilities.”
Headteacher Denise Hurr added: “There is a positive feeling across the school and wider community, and we excited about the future. It will be hard work but there are great times ahead.”
The TPLT leads the nearby Priory Community School Academy and Worle Community School Academy, and have a good track record in school improvement.
Two primary schools, St Anne’s Church Academy and Castle Batch Primary School, are also part of The Priory Learning Trust, meaning there are now 2,387 pupils and students in the Trust.
More funding bids are planned over the coming months as further work to improve the school is planned.
