March 11, 2026 - 230 views
Schools across North Wales could benefit from a share of millions of pounds in new funding aimed at fixing ageing buildings and improving learning environments.
The Welsh Government has announced an additional £40.5 million for essential repairs and maintenance across schools, colleges and universities in Wales, building on a £20 million package announced earlier this year.
The funding will support large-scale work such as replacing roofs, upgrading heating and ventilation systems, installing new windows and carrying out electrical improvements.
Money for schools will be distributed through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, while investment in universities will be delivered via Medr.
Local authorities across Wales will share £15 million specifically for schools, with the rest allocated to colleges and universities.
For councils in North Wales – including Conwy County Borough Council, Cyngor Gwynedd and Denbighshire County Council – the funding could help tackle long-standing maintenance issues affecting older school buildings.
Many schools across the region date back several decades and have required ongoing repairs to roofs, heating systems and insulation. In recent winters, some schools in North Wales have faced heating failures and rising energy bills, while others have needed upgrades to ventilation systems following concerns raised during the COVID-19 pandemic about classroom air quality.
Education leaders have also warned that ageing infrastructure can affect both learning and running costs, particularly where older buildings are poorly insulated and expensive to heat.
The new funding forms part of the Welsh Government’s long-term programme to modernise education facilities.
Over the past decade, more than £3.6 billion has been invested in over 330 school and college building projects across Wales through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme.
In North Wales, that programme has already delivered a number of new or rebuilt schools and colleges, helping to replace older buildings and improve facilities for pupils.
Ministers say the latest funding will not only improve learning environments but also help schools become more energy efficient.
Projects funded through the programme often include better insulation, energy-efficient windows and modern heating systems, which can cut energy use and reduce carbon emissions while lowering running costs for schools.
Cabinet Secretary for Education Lynne Neagle said the investment would support local authorities in maintaining school buildings and ensuring they remain fit for purpose.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Further and Higher Education Vikki Howells said colleges would use the funding to expand facilities, including workshops for vocational training, helping meet growing demand for practical skills courses.
Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford added that well-designed school buildings play an important role in creating engaging learning environments while also supporting Wales’ net-zero climate ambitions.
For schools across North Wales, the funding could provide much-needed help to repair ageing facilities and create warmer, more efficient classrooms for the years ahead.
