Schools across Bradford have been awarded almost £10 million to provide better conditions for pupils and teachers.

It is part of a national allocation of almost £1 billion announced today by Schools Minister Jacqui Smith.

The money will go towards repairs and building work to be carried out next year and is part of a three year £5.5 billion investment plan by the Government.

Mrs Smith said: "We are determined to improve school standards and that means children being taught in weatherproof, warm, well lit, properly equipped classrooms.

"Our promise to raise standards in schools is not just a question of getting the basics of literacy and numeracy right - it also means getting the learning environment right."

More than £1 million of credit approvals will go to Bradford Council for building work at community, voluntary controlled, foundation and special schools.

And a grant of more than £8 million will go to governors of voluntary aided schools.

St Bede's RC Grammar School, Heaton Bradford, will use the money to refurbish and rationalise science laboratories while St Joseph's Catholic College, Bradford will replace unsound accommodation and reduce surplus space.

The funding will include £186.8 million of devolved "formula capital" and £30 million through the Seed Challenge capital initiative for innovative investment programmes. "Formula capital" is money given to schools for repairs and refurbishment based on its number of pupils.

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