All pupils should be able to learn in buildings that are fit for purpose, and nothing is more important than the safety of pupils and teachers – find out below what’s being done to keep buildings safe
CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on Gov.uk
Gov.uk has given over £15bn since 2015 for keeping schools in good working order, including £1.8bn committed for 2023-24.
Included in this funding for 2023-24 is £1.1bn in School Condition Allocations (SCA). This is funding for local authorities, large multi-academy trusts and academy sponsors, and dioceses, and other large voluntary aided school groups, to invest in maintaining and improving the condition of their schools.
Over £450mn has also been made available through the Condition Improvement Fund (CIF) this year to support over 1,000 essential maintenance projects at small and stand-alone academy trusts, voluntary aided schools, and sixth-form colleges.
The fund also provides Urgent Capital Support for these schools where there are serious issues that threaten immediate school closure.
Also included in the funding this year is over £200mn that has been allocated directly for schools to spend on projects to meet their own priorities. This is called Devolved Formula Capital (DFC).
Gov.uk is also investing in 500 projects for new and refurbished school buildings through its School Rebuilding Programme.
Its approach with this investment is working – over 95% of school building elements surveyed between 2017 and 2019 were in good or satisfactory condition (condition grade A or B). Only a very small percentage (0.3%) of building components needed replacing straight away (Grade D).
The main concern are the grade Ds – which refer to materials that are due to be replaced – for core elements of buildings.
Early indications in its successor survey, Condition Data Collection 2, (CDC2), alongside feedback from responsible bodies, show that in almost every case where a Grade D component was identified, it has now been addressed.
What about schools that have Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)?
Ensuring the safety of both students and staff remains paramount. Gov.uk is actively collaborating with schools to identify and address the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). In cases where the presence of RAAC is confirmed, Gov.uk swiftly provides school administrators with assistance based on recommendations from structural engineers. This assistance may involve securing capital funding for immediate risk mitigation measures, including potential removal efforts and the establishment of temporary structures.
A team of professional surveyors has already conducted over 200 assessments in instances where RAAC presence is suspected, assessing its condition and confirming its existence. The goal is to complete 600 assessments by the approaching autumn season.
The initiative to address RAAC-related risks began in 2018 when Gov.uk initially issued a warning notice in collaboration with the Local Government Association. Subsequently, comprehensive guidance on identifying and managing RAAC was published. Gov.uk has actively engaged with local authorities, academy trusts, and other responsible entities to encourage knowledge-sharing regarding RAAC presence in their facilities and their corresponding management strategies.
And what about schools with asbestos concerns?
Regulations concerning asbestos management in schools are governed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and Gov.uk adheres to their expert advice. As per HSE guidance, as long as asbestos-containing materials remain in good condition, properly safeguarded, and are unlikely to be damaged or disturbed, managing them in place is generally considered safer.
However, if asbestos poses a substantial risk of disturbance or accidental damage and it’s deemed unsafe to leave it as is, the responsibility falls on the duty holder to ensure its removal by a qualified specialist.
Gov.uk actively collaborates with the education sector to foster best practices and offer guidance, ensuring schools are well-informed about their obligations to ensure the safety of students and educators.
Previously, Gov.uk implemented the Asbestos Management Assurance Process (AMAP) as a voluntary survey to gauge how schools and those overseeing their estates were managing asbestos. Over 20,600 schools in England participated, revealing that most schools diligently adhere to core statutory duties.
Currently, Gov.uk is collecting information through its Condition Data Collection 2 (CDC2) to track how schools are managing asbestos. This initiative began in 2021 and will conclude in 2026, with the aim of encompassing all state-funded schools.
Whose responsibility is it to maintain school buildings?
The onus for maintaining school buildings lies with those overseeing the institutions – often academy trusts, local authorities, voluntary-aided school entities, and their associated schools. These entities, working closely with their respective schools, are tasked with managing safety and upkeep. In cases where a serious building concern arises beyond their capacity, they are expected to inform Gov.uk.
Gov.uk provides targeted funding to assist in fulfilling these responsibilities, in addition to an array of guidance and support. Additionally, Gov.uk extends further support on a case-by-case basis if alerted to a critical safety issue.
What about the old schools that were built in the 1960s, will these be replaced?
31% of the floor area of the school estate is modern – having been built since 2000.
The age of a building does not mean it is at the end of its life. While schools can expect reasonable wear and tear, buildings that are well kept can be fit for purpose beyond their original design.
To support schools that do need buildings replaced, Gov.uk’s School Rebuilding Programme will transform buildings at 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition and with evidence of potential safety issues.
What is Gov.uk doing to ensure the sustainability of schools?
The difficulty of decarbonising a large estate is not unique to schools and work of this scale takes time.
As part of our climate change and sustainability strategy, we are assessing emissions and the risk posed to schools by the impact of climate change, like flooding. This will allow it to set targets and act efficiently, cost-effectively and with the least disruption.
Gov.uk has already improved our building specifications so that they are better than national standards.
All new school buildings delivered by the Department for Education are designed to be net zero carbon in operation and designed for a 20C temperature rise, and resilient to a 40C temperature rise.
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