The lack of basic information from the Department for Education (DfE) on the concrete crisis in schools is both shocking and disappointing. In a report published today, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) warns that the school estate has deteriorated to the point where 700,000 pupils are learning in a school that needs major rebuilding or refurbishment, impacting their learning experiences and ultimately limiting their educational achievements.
Unacceptable numbers of pupils are learning in poorly maintained or potentially unsafe buildings. The Government’s School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), which is behind its initial schedule for getting schools built, has considered upgrades to 1,200 schools with safety issues or in poor condition. 500 schools in total will be selected to be included in the SRP, but many of the 100 schools still to be selected will be chosen due to serious RAAC issues. Many other schools will therefore not get on to the SRP, even though longer-term assessments of their poor condition would lead to a conclusion that they should be rebuilt.
The PAC is extremely concerned that DfE does not have a good enough understanding of the risks in school buildings to keep children and staff safe. Despite the PAC raising these as concerns for several years, DfE was unable to tell the PAC’s inquiry how many surveys to identify RAAC were outstanding, how many temporary classrooms had been provided to schools affected by RAAC, or say when RAAC issues would be addressed. There is a lack of certainty on support for schools affected by RAAC, and questions around both the reliability of the DfE’s information on the number and condition and schools affected, and the Government’s attitude to risk with regards to the school estate.
