4,000 school buildings need urgent restoration work

A Guardian investigation has found that nearly one in five school buildings in England require urgent repairs.

Almost 4,000 schools across the country have been judged by surveyors to be in need of immediate restoration work.

What's more, many were found not to have the paperwork required by law, including electrical test certificates, fire risk assessments or asbestos management plans.

Angela Rayner, Labour’s shadow education secretary, has criticised the Conservative government for cutting funding for education which has lead to  a "crisis in school buildings".

She said: “The Tories have slashed funding for education and now we are seeing the consequences. Across the country schools are in dire need of repair but the funding simply isn’t available to get them into a fit state.

“That failure to invest has left our children and hard working school staff at risk, trying to teach in buildings that are crumbling around them.

“Only Labour will deliver the real change our schools need, ensuring every school building is a safe and secure place to learn.”