The government has set a deadline that all schools and colleges must be free of dangerous Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) ahead of the next general election.
According to figures from the Department for Education, there are more than 22,000 schools and colleges in England, with 237 found to contain RAAC. The School Rebuilding Programme will see 123 schools rebuilt during this timeframe, while 108 schools and colleges will receive government grants to cover the RAAC removal, with works delivered through the responsible body. Six schools and colleges have made alternative arrangements, the government said.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “We inherited a crumbling education estate, but I won’t let that be our legacy. After years of neglect we are giving every child a safe and high-quality classroom where they can focus on learning – by setting clear timelines for the permanent removal of RAAC from schools and colleges. It’s about more than just buildings – it’s about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter.”