No children learning in unsafe schools, DfE tells select committee

There are no children learning in schools at the moment where the Department for Education (DfE) is worried about safety, MPs have been told.

The Education Select Committee heard on Tuesday that early findings from DfE research into school buildings suggest there are no more systematic issues across the school estate, such as the recent reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) issue.

However, preliminary research findings show deterioration of school buildings due to lack of maintenance.

In the wake of the Raac crisis, the DfE spent £5 million on research into the condition of school buildings, which is due to conclude in spring 2026.

“The early findings of that research are showing there are no systematic issues across the education estate from system builds,” said Dr Jonathan Dewsbury, DfE’s director of education estates and net zero.

“What it does show is deterioration of the education estate, which is shown from our published condition data collection as well, due to a lack of maintenance.”

“The Government recognises that this is a major challenge,” DfE minister Josh MacAlister told the committee.

The committee was hearing evidence on progress addressing the Raac crisis in schools.

On Tuesday, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said all schools with Raac that are not going to be rebuilt should have the crumbly concrete removed by the end of this Parliament.

Those scheduled for rebuilding under the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme should also be in delivery by the end of this Parliament, she added.

NAHT school leaders’ union general secretary Paul Whiteman said:

“The issues with the school estate are not just about Raac. We hear of issues with leaking roofs, children learning in draughty portable cabins, and even school dinners being served in corridors,”

The Government allocated £2.4 billion in 2025/26 to improve the condition of the school and college estate.

However, the National Audit Office previously reported the DfE had recommended in 2020 that it would need £5.3 billion in funding annually to maintain schools and mitigate the most serious risks of building failure.