The Department for Education (DfE) has reported that there are currently no children attending schools where there are significant safety concerns related to building conditions. This statement was made during a session of the Education Select Committee where early findings from DfE research were discussed.
Dr. Jonathan Dewsbury, the DfE”s director of education estates and net zero, indicated that initial results suggest there are no systemic problems across the education estate stemming from construction methods like reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac). However, he noted that the deterioration of school buildings is primarily due to inadequate maintenance.
DfE minister Josh MacAlister emphasized the government”s awareness of these challenges during the committee meeting. “There are no children in schools at the moment where we”re worried about safety, but it is a risk for the department and our capital projects, which means that we”re allocating funds to manage it proactively,” he stated.
In response to the Raac crisis, the DfE has invested £5 million in research to assess the condition of school buildings, with the study expected to conclude in spring 2026. Dr. Dewsbury reiterated that initial findings do not indicate widespread issues among school buildings but rather highlight the adverse effects of neglecting maintenance.
During the session, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed that all schools identified with Raac that are not slated for rebuilding must have the deteriorating concrete removed by the end of the current Parliament. Additionally, those schools earmarked for reconstruction under the government”s School Rebuilding Programme should also see progress by that time.
As of now, Raac has been permanently eliminated from 62 of the 237 schools and colleges where it was identified. While Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders” union, acknowledged this progress, he pointed out that numerous issues persist within the school estate. “The issues with the school estate are not just about Raac. We hear of problems with leaking roofs, children learning in draughty portable cabins, and even school dinners being served in corridors,” he noted.
The government has allocated £2.4 billion for the 2025/26 fiscal year to enhance the conditions of schools and colleges. However, a report from the National Audit Office previously indicated that the DfE had suggested an annual funding requirement of £5.3 billion to adequately maintain schools and address the most pressing risks of structural failure. When questioned about the sufficiency of maintenance funding, Mr. MacAlister stated that spending is projected to rise to approximately £3 billion over the next decade.
“Overall capital spending, in today”s prices, will surpass £8 billion in 2026/27, which marks a significant investment,” he added. “The last time we approached that level was in 2008/09. Looking back over the past 14 to 15 years, there have been extended periods of under-investment in capital, which ultimately leads to higher repair costs.” He assured that the government has prioritized schools alongside other vital infrastructure, reinforcing education as a top priority.
