Backlog of repairs continue to affect UK school buildings
The problems reported include more than a half who say classrooms are too hot in the summer because of poor ventilation, and more than a quarter who say they are too cold in the winter due to inadequate heating systems
Teachers in England continue to report widespread problems with the condition of classrooms in a survey carried out by Teacher Tapp for the Association of School and College Leaders.
The problems include more than a half who say classrooms are too hot in the summer because of poor ventilation, and more than a quarter who say they are too cold in the winter because of inadequate heating systems.
Around one in five report broken windows or doors, and more than 10% have leaking ceilings.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: “Large parts of the school estate are in a shocking condition because of years of underinvestment by the previous government. Schools and colleges simply don’t have the money to make the repairs and refurbishments that are necessary. This isn’t just about bricks and mortar but about ensuring that children are in suitable learning environments rather than shivering their way through the winter and being overheated in the summer.
“It’s staggering that a recent National Audit Office report found that the maintenance backlog across the education estate requires an eye-watering sum of £13.8bn to address. We recognise that this isn’t going to happen overnight, but the government must begin making some inroads into this backlog or school and college buildings will just continue to crumble and the cost of fixing them will get more and more expensive.”
The survey findings come as Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced her spring statement in the House of Commons today (26 March) ahead of the publication of her multi-year spending review in June.
The Department for Education requested £4bn per year for capital funding between 2021 and 2025 but the Treasury allocated £3.1bn – a total shortfall of £3.6bn during that period. ASCL is calling on the Treasury to restore this lost capital expenditure.
Di’Iasio said: “We’re conscious that the national financial situation is tight but all we are asking for is enough money to keep things going without having to make further cuts. These aren’t extravagant requests but basic necessities. We think that’s what parents have every right to expect.”