Education Secretary sets timeline for RAAC removal in schools

• Bridget Phillipson wants all schools and colleges, except those in the School Rebuilding Programme, to be RAAC-free by the end of this Parliament. 
• New timeline will see also see all School Rebuilding Programme schools with RAAC in delivery in this Parliament. 
• Restoring pride in classrooms is part of government plan for national renewal. 

Every single child in England to be learning in classrooms free from RAAC as the Education Secretary sets out timelines for removing RAAC from all schools and colleges- calling time on the crumbling school estate. 

The government is rebuilding pride in our education system, setting out plans to permanently remove the dangerous concrete from all schools and colleges with RAAC, except those in the School Rebuilding Programme, ahead of the next general election. 

For schools with RAAC being rebuilt through the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP), all will be in delivery in the same timeframe, with more than half already underway. 

The move, part of the government's plans for national renewal, will help break down barriers to opportunity by removing RAAC for good, with more than 42,000 pupils already learning in RAAC free classrooms. 

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 what parents expect, it's what children deserve and it's what we are delivering.    

“It's about more than just buildings - it's about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.” 

There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England and 237 had confirmed RAAC, all of which are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils. 123 schools with RAAC will be rebuilt through the School Rebuilding Programme and 108 schools and colleges are getting government grants for RAAC removal, with works delivered through their responsible body – usually the local authority or Trust. Six schools and colleges have alternative arrangements, including buildings not being part of their estate in the longer term. 

Last month, the Department for Education updated on progress on RAAC removal in schools and colleges in England. Today, the government has confirmed that RAAC has been permanently removed from 62 schools and colleges.   

It comes following the Department for Education announcing £38 billion in education capital investment over the next five years, taking it to levels not seen since 2010. 

ENDS 

Notes to editors: 

• The government has committed to resolving this problem as quickly as possible, permanently removing RAAC either through grant funding or the School Rebuilding Programme.   
• All schools and colleges with confirmed RAAC are providing full time face-to-face education for all pupils.  
• For schools and colleges receiving grants, responsible bodies develop their project plan to suit their circumstances drawing on DfE's support as needed. Responsible bodies and settings might use time in school holidays for works to take place.  
• All schools in the School Rebuilding Programme are prioritised for delivery according to the condition of their buildings, their readiness to proceed and the efficiency of delivery. 
• There are over 22,000 schools and colleges in England – around 1% (or 237) had confirmed RAAC in some areas of their buildings.   
• Ensuring schools and colleges have the resources and buildings they need is a key part of our mission to break down barriers to opportunity and give every young person the best start in life.    
• We have confirmed £38 billion in total capital investment from 2025-26 to 2029-30. This will take DfE's capital investment to a level not seen since 2010-11.  
• For the first time, this Government has given a long-term commitment backed by long-term funding through to 2034-35 to improve the condition of our schools and colleges across England.  We are investing almost £3 billion per year by 2034-35 in capital maintenance and renewal to improve the condition of the school and college estate, rising from £2.4 billion in 2025-26.  
• We are also investing almost £20 billion in the School Rebuilding Programme through to 2034-35, delivering rebuilding projects at over 500 schools across England within the existing Programme and expanding the School Rebuilding Programme, with a further 250 schools to be selected within the next two years. 
• School Rebuilding Programme schools are net zero carbon in operation, future proofed against the risks of climate change and create a better environment by enhancing biodiversity and increasing access to nature.   
• There are over 500 schools and sixth form colleges that have already been selected for the School Rebuilding Programme. Over half – or 326 – are now at various stages of delivery.  
• As of October, 41 schools have been rebuilt through the School Rebuilding Programme, with 29 of those completed under this government.