More than 20 schools have successfully secured a share of £11 million for significant repairs after appealing a government decision to reject their application for funding.

Projects that will now go ahead include urgent works such as whole roof replacements, boiler replacements, window and fire door replacements and “fire safety and compliance works to address life-safety matters”.

The schools were initially unsuccessful in their applications to the Department for Education’s Condition Improvement Fund (CIF), a pot of money set aside to address significant building condition needs.

The fund provides cash for projects that address health and safety issues, building compliance and buildings in poor condition.

• School buildings: “Vulnerable” schools miss out on essential repairs cash
• Safety: The urgent repairs that schools had to fight for
•  Cuts: Councils forced to cancel repairs to plug £1 billion black hole

A total of 4,547 academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary-aided schools were eligible to apply to the CIF for 2023-24, of which 2,076 applied for 3,061 projects, including fire safety improvements, urgent roof repairs and electrical works.

But only around a third of these projects were initially approved for funding, amounting to 1,033 projects across 859 schools, academies and colleges.

Successful appeals for school buildings funding

Now the DfE has published a further list of 25 projects at 24 academies, sixth-form colleges and voluntary-aided schools that will receive funding after submitting a successful appeal.

In an update published on the department’s website, schools are told: “If you submitted an appeal and your project appears on the list, you will be contacted to confirm what happens next.

“If your project does not appear on the list, then your appeal has not been successful. This decision is final and there is no further stage in the appeals process. We are unable to consider any requests to review this decision.”

Tes has asked the DfE how many schools had their appeals turned down.