Raac crisis in schools needs permanent fixes despite progress – MPs
The Raac (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) crisis in school buildings has affected pupils’ learning and wellbeing, MPs have said, despite Government progress towards fixing it.
Significant risks remain across the UK’s ageing school buildings, a report from the Education Select Committee concluded, and the Government must find permanent solutions to reducing backlogs in repairs.
Chairwoman of the committee Helen Hayes said: “The government has taken significant action to remove and remediate Raac from England’s schools, but the Raac crisis has come with a cost for the teachers, parents and most importantly pupils who have suffered serious disruption as a result.
“This crisis has laid bare the concerning condition of much of the school estate in England as a consequence of years of underinvestment.
“While this may require a great deal of work to fix, the quality of school buildings has a significant impact on pupils’ learning and every child deserves to be taught in a safe, secure and fit-for-purpose school environment.”
Under the previous government, more than 100 schools were told days before the new academic year started in 2023 to partially or fully close buildings because of the presence of Raac, which has been shown to be susceptible to structural failure.
Students and staff in affected schools faced disruption and uncertainty, the committee was told during its inquiry, with several having to rely on temporary solutions such as learning in marquees or temporary buildings.
The Education Secretary has pledged schools not earmarked for being rebuilt will be free from Raac by the end of this parliament, which the committee welcomed.
As of October, the Government confirmed Raac had been permanently removed from 62 schools and colleges.
“In those schools where Raac remains an ongoing issue, temporary solutions cannot substitute for permanent fixes,” MPs said.
The Government has announced a new 10-year plan for renewing school buildings.
The committee is calling on the Government to implement its strategy for the school estate as soon as possible.
The Raac crisis also highlighted wider issues in school buildings across the country, MPs said.
According to the National Audit Office, 38% of schools buildings were beyond their estimated design life as of 2023.
MPs said “incremental fixes will not suffice”, and called for funding to move from short-term repairs towards more comprehensive upgrades and rebuilds.
Those responsible for school buildings – usually councils and academy trusts – should undertake surveys and risk assessments of higher-risk building types every three to five years, the committee recommended.
Of the 237 schools and colleges in England which had confirmed Raac, 108 received grants from the Government to remove the concrete.
A further 123 were added to the Department for Education’s (DfE) School Rebuilding Programme, which carries out major rebuilding and refurbishment projects at schools and colleges.
The Government has confirmed funding for rebuilding schools up to 2034/35. There are more than 500 schools in the programme already, with the extra funding set to allow a further 250 to be selected.
The Government also allocated £2.4 billion in 2025/26 to improve the condition of the school and college estate.
DfE minister Josh MacAlister told the committee last year there were at that time no children learning in schools where the DfE was worried about safety.
Published: by Radio NewsHub