Over the period 1997/2007 more than 1,000 primary schools have benefited from major building work. Local authorities have indicated that they are planning to start work on major projects at more than 1,000 schools over the three year period 2008/11.

All local authorities will receive capital grant and, exceptionally, PFI credits. Subject to the approval of a local authority’s Primary Strategy for Change, payments will be made quarterly to local authorities.

A flat rate of £6.5m was provided to each of the 23 pathfinders in 2008/9. From 2009/10 local authorities will receive funding that is allocated by a formula based on the number of primary pupils and deprivation, with a floor to protect smaller local authorities.