Cash boost to improve sixth-form colleges

The money, which will be available for the financial year 2011/12, includes £57.4m for priority building needs of sixth-form colleges and £30m for other basic needs.

Under new rules all colleges will also be eligible for Devolved Formula Capital, which is funding for maintenance given directly to each institution. Under this measure the average sixth-form college will receive an additional £40,000.

Schools minister Lord Hill said: "I know there are sixth-form colleges with building needs which have missed out on previous capital programmes. Even where funding is tight, it is essential that buildings and equipment are properly maintained, to ensure that health and safety standards are met, and to prevent a backlog of decay building up, which is very expensive to address.

"This government is committed to ensuring that all young people have the opportunity to continue in education and training after the age of 16. I therefore want to ensure that funding is available to meet the need for additional places where there are demographic pressures in schools, academies and sixth-form colleges."

David Igoe, chief executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Forum, said the funding would enhance colleges’ ability to provide quality education in a time of financial constraints.

"Sixth-form colleges will warmly welcome this announcement of capital allocations for 2011/12. These allocations will enable them to undertake essential maintenance and refurbishment with some new building also possible and will greatly enhance sixth-form colleges’ ability to sustain high-quality education in these challenging times. Sixth-form colleges have missed out on capital over the past two years and it is very encouraging to see the government redressing this unfairness."