Teachernet, Primary Capital Programme

Name of programme/fund: Primary Capital Programme
Guidance applicable to financial years: 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Total funding available 2008-2011: £1.9 billion (£150m in 2008-09, £650m in 2009-10, £1100m in 2010-11)
Summary of purpose: Strategic approach to capital investment for the primary sector.
Specific priorities for use of funding: Capital investment to support wider transformation in the primary sector by rebuilding or improving least half of all primary schools, bringing them up to 21st century standards with wider services for children and families at the heart of their communities over the next 14 years — subject to future government spending decisions.
Eligibility: All local authorities will receive funding. Separate arrangements will be made for the Corporation of London and Isles of Scilly. The following types of school, working with their local authority may benefit from the resources in this programme:
- VA, VC, Community and Foundation Nursery Schools
- VA, VC, Community and Foundation Primary Schools
- VA, VC, Community and Foundation Middle deemed Primary schools
- Pupil Referral Units, maintained boarding and hospital schools with primary aged pupils
- Maintained and non-maintained Special Schools with primary aged pupils
Method of payment: Capital grant and exceptionally PFI credits. Subject to agreement of a LA's Primary Strategy for Change document, capital grant payments will be made quarterly to LAs through the Standards fund. PFI funding may be available where a primary school in part of a large existing PFI scheme and BSF is procured through the local education partnership (LEP).
Allocated by: Flat rate £6.5m for 2008-09 for each of the 23 pathfinders; Formula for all authorities from 2009-10 onwards. Allocations formed part of the 10 October Schools Capital announcement.
Formula for allocation (if applicable): From 2009-10 onwards, LA allocations are based on an authority's relative share of £650 million 2009-10 and £1100 million 2010-11 according to number of children attending primary schools in an area (50%) and deprivation (using FSM as a proxy, 50%). To ensure all authorities can make a good start to the programme, all authorities in the programme will receive at least £3 million in 2009-10 and £5.378 million in 2010-11. Indicative allocations announced in October 2007 will be confirmed following DCSF approval of the Primary Strategy for Change document.
Application process (if applicable): Pathfinders already selected. From 2009-10 there will requirement for all LAs to develop an agreed Primary Strategy for Change. Guidance on the format and content of this document may be found via the link at the bottom of the page.
Additional flexibilities: LAs are expected to maximise the impact of primary capital funding by strategically combining funding with other resource including schools' DFC, devolved LA funding and other local and national funding from other sources.
Additional monitoring and audit requirements: Annual monitoring of progress towards national outputs and local targets set out in each authority's strategy for change — see the detailed guidance via the link at the bottom of the page. The Primary Strategy for Change covers the total investment (from all sources) on primary schools. PCP funding must not substitute for other funding.
Frequently asked questions (and answers):
Q — How do schools and dioceses get involved in the process?
A — We expect all authorities to consult widely and effectively with all stakeholders, including schools and voluntary-aided bodies, as they develop their plans for the PCP and their primary strategy for change.
Q — Why not extend BSF to the primary sector?
A — There are 18 000 primary schools; building projects tend to be simpler and smaller in scale than secondary schools. This lends itself to a different, lighter-touch — but no less strategic approach. Resources are available to all local authorities from the outset, rather than focussing on a smaller number of authorities each year.
Q — Will the Department waive the requirement for the promoters of VA schools to contribute 10% of the costs of VA schools funded through PCP?
A — No. Ministers made an exception in the case of BSF because of the sheer scale of capital investment concentrated in a small number of areas. The approach for PCP is not exceptional, because it is being spread across all LAs over a longer timescale.
Q — When will local authorities be required to submit strategic plans?
A — The Department issued guidance on the content of the Primary Strategy for Change in December 2007. This has been developed in partnership with and tested by the 23 pathfinders. LAs will be expected to submit an agreed strategy for change by 16 June 2008 — use the link below for more detailed information on the application process.
Contact details for queries not covered by the guidance:
Schools Capital Enquiry Service
Telephone — 01325 391716
Email: schools.capital@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Website where more detailed guidance can be found:
Delivering the PCP