This money had to be spent to reverse years of neglect that led to millions of pupils being taught in antiquated buildings not "fit for purpose" – or
so-called temporary classrooms which should have been razed to the ground years previously.

It is, therefore, encouraging that Ministers are now advancing plans
to undertake a further £3.5bn of improvements at more than 1,500 primary schools.

These rolling programmes are essential to ensure schools have the necessary facilities to reflect the changing demands of the national curriculum.

However, it is not just the fabric of classrooms that is so important. Equally fundamental is the quality of teaching and learning that takes place inside the classroom, and it is this issue which has still to be adequately addressed by Ministers.

Too many youngsters are still leaving primary school, despite a decade of unprecedented investment, with an inadequate grasp of basic numeracy and literacy skills. This failure means it is inevitable that they will struggle at secondary school to achieve five GCSEs – the Government's minimum benchmark.

Ed Balls, the Schools Secretary, must now ensure that headteachers have the necessary resources, and scope, so that all youngsters have a chance to fulfil their potential, whether it be those with an aptitude
for learning or those who need help writing their own names.

Unless this happens, there is every prospect that the new buildings will not bring about the improvements in academic attainment that the Minister spoke about yesterday.