Schools across High Wycombe and wider Buckinghamshire are set to benefit from a share of a £450 million government fund aimed at improving ageing school buildings.

The investment, announced at the end of May, will see 103 schools and sixth-form colleges across the South East receive Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) grants, with several High Wycombe schools among those selected.

In Buckinghamshire, successful bids include The Royal Grammar School, Wycombe High School, John Hampden Grammar School and The Highcrest Academy, alongside other schools such as Great Marlow School, Holmer Green Senior School and The Misbourne.

The funding will be used to carry out essential maintenance work, including replacing heating systems, repairing roofs and upgrading electrical infrastructure, issues that have increasingly affected schools in recent years.

The government says the scheme forms part of a wider 10-year strategy to modernise the education estate and move away from short-term “patch-and-mend” fixes.

Schools Minister Josh MacAlister said: “Children can only learn well in buildings that are safe, warm and fit for purpose – not classrooms disrupted by leaking roofs, failing boilers and declining buildings.

“This funding will help schools tackle urgent issues before they become bigger and more costly problems.”

While the exact funding allocations for individual schools have not been published, the programme is expected to support hundreds of thousands of pupils nationwide.

In High Wycombe, the investment is expected to make a noticeable difference, particularly in older school buildings where maintenance backlogs have built up over time.

The CIF funding sits alongside other government capital programmes, including the School Rebuilding Programme, which is already refurbishing or rebuilding 58 schools across the South East.

Buckinghamshire also saw a number of primary and secondary schools outside Wycombe included in the latest round, such as Aylesbury Grammar School, Dr Challoner’s High School and Amersham School, highlighting the county-wide demand for upgrades.

Education leaders have long warned that deteriorating school infrastructure can disrupt learning, particularly during colder months when heating failures can force temporary classroom closures.

The government says it is investing more than £2.1 billion this year alone in improving school conditions, with additional long-term funding planned through to 2030.

As part of the wider strategy, billions more will also be directed towards improving provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including making mainstream schools more accessible.

For schools in High Wycombe, the latest funding is likely to be welcomed as a step towards creating more reliable and modern learning environments.

Appeals for unsuccessful CIF bids will open later this month, giving schools another opportunity to secure funding for urgent works.

The improvements are expected to begin rolling out over the coming months, with projects prioritised based on condition and urgency.