State of England's crumbling schools to be laid bare as Labour publishes full details
For the first time parents and teachers will be able to see details of every part of every school building in the country - assessing its condition and listing problems in detail
A third of school buildings are in need of repair
(Image: BBC)News
By
Mikey Smith
By
Mikey Smith
Deputy Political Editor
MIRROR
11 Aug 2024
The scale of decline in England’s school buildings will be laid bare as Labour vowed to publish full details of crumbling classrooms where kids are being taught.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has ordered officials to bring together all the information her department holds on leaky rooves, RAAC-riddled ceilings and decades-old temporary classrooms.
For the first time parents and teachers will be able to see details of every part of every school building in the country - assessing its condition and listing problems in detail.
The results will be published in the Autumn, as part of the biggest school condition survey in Europe.
“The Conservatives have left a trail of devastation across our education system, not least in our school buildings,” Ms Phillipson told this newspaper.
“Their choices have led to good money being thrown after bad, and to the continual decline of our schools estate, leaving taxpayers to count the cost and children to pay the price.”
The scale of decline in England’s school buildings will be laid bare as Labour vowed to publish full details of crumbling classrooms where kids are being taught.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has ordered officials to bring together all the information her department holds on leaky rooves, RAAC-riddled ceilings and decades-old temporary classrooms.
For the first time parents and teachers will be able to see details of every part of every school building in the country - assessing its condition and listing problems in detail.
The results will be published in the Autumn, as part of the biggest school condition survey in Europe.
“The Conservatives have left a trail of devastation across our education system, not least in our school buildings,” Ms Phillipson told this newspaper.
“Their choices have led to good money being thrown after bad, and to the continual decline of our schools estate, leaving taxpayers to count the cost and children to pay the price.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson warned it wouldn't be fixed overnight (
Image: PA)
Last year, the National Audit Office (NAO) found that more than a third of school buildings were in need of repair - despite years of Tory promises to make improvements.
While none posed an immediate threat to safety, they judged that an estimated 700,000 students are learning in schools that need major rebuilding or refurbishment work.
The NAO said that of the 64,000 or so individual school buildings in England, 38% (around 24,000) are “beyond their estimated initial design life”.
Officials will break down the survey information held by the Department for Education in the coming weeks, before publishing it in a clear and accessible way online.
Ms Phillipson added: “I want to level with parents: this will not be a quick fix. We are still uncovering the mess left by the Conservatives about the condition of our schools, which will take many years to put right.
“But this government is determined to drive high and rising standards for children across our country and break down barriers to opportunity so that everyone can get on in life.”
Image: PA)
Last year, the National Audit Office (NAO) found that more than a third of school buildings were in need of repair - despite years of Tory promises to make improvements.
While none posed an immediate threat to safety, they judged that an estimated 700,000 students are learning in schools that need major rebuilding or refurbishment work.
The NAO said that of the 64,000 or so individual school buildings in England, 38% (around 24,000) are “beyond their estimated initial design life”.
Officials will break down the survey information held by the Department for Education in the coming weeks, before publishing it in a clear and accessible way online.
Ms Phillipson added: “I want to level with parents: this will not be a quick fix. We are still uncovering the mess left by the Conservatives about the condition of our schools, which will take many years to put right.
“But this government is determined to drive high and rising standards for children across our country and break down barriers to opportunity so that everyone can get on in life.”
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