MORE than a dozen schools in Dorset will be benefitting from £435 million of Government funding.

Fourteen schools and academies across Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset will be able to carry out vital work on their buildings thanks to funding announced by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan.

The money will go towards building improvements and school expansion projects, allowing schools to upgrade their facilities and create extra places where this is most needed.

The funding comes from the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) for 2016/17 - which is part of the Government’s strategy to ensure all children have access to the best possible schools and facilities.

Schools were invited to apply for the funding and on Thursday funding of over £435 million was announced for 1,276 projects across 1,030 academies and sixth-form colleges in the UK.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said: “Every child should be taught in surroundings which allow them to fulfil their potential, and we have made significant investments in school buildings to ensure this happens.

“The latest funding from the Condition Improvement Fund will help us to build on our progress, so that even more pupils and teachers have access to safe, high-quality classrooms.”

In Bournemouth the funding will help Bournemouth School for Girls replace its heating and hot water distribution, Elm Academy will use it to replace the school roof, St Clement's and St John's Church of England Infant School will use it to for roof and damp repairs and St Peter's Catholic Comprehensive School will use it to upgrade its lighting, electrics and fire alarms.

Kinson Primary School was also successful in its application for funding and will be using the money to replace the school's Horsa Hut - which is a temporary school hut built after the Second World War.

In Poole the successful schools included St Aldhelm's Academy and Manorside Academy, both of which will use the funding to replace their roof covering, Parkstone Grammar School's windows project, Corfe Hills School, which will use the money for fire safety improvements and Longspee Academy, which plans to replace the boiler and roof covering.

Dunbury Church of England Academy will use the funding for flood prevention works and Colehill First School will make water hygiene improvements. The Gryphon School plans to replace its LED lighting and St Mary's Church of England Middle School will replace the pipework and heating system.

Five New Forest schools were also successful in securing a piece of the funding including The Arnewood School Academy and The Burgate School.