Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Accepted
Develop a support package and good practice guidance for schools in poor condition.
Conclusion
Unacceptable numbers of pupils are learning in poorly maintained or potentially unsafe buildings. The quality of school buildings has an impact on pupils’ learning experience, and ultimately on attainment levels and teacher retention. An estimated 700,000 pupils attend the 1,200 schools that have been considered for the School Rebuilding Programme, which aims to rebuild or refurbish those buildings in the most need given safety matters or their poor general condition (which could include problems with, for example, roofs, windows or heating systems). DfE will select 500 schools to be included in the programme. DfE’s first Condition Data Collection programme (CDC1), conducted between 2017 and 2019, found that just over 2% of building components were in ‘poor’ or ‘bad’ condition, but this covers a large number of schools. Recommendation 6: Within the next year, DfE should develop a package of support and good practice to help those responsible for mitigating the negative impact on pupils and teachers of schools that are in poor condition but cannot yet be fixed.
Government Response Summary
The government claims the recommendation is implemented, highlighting existing extensive guidance and support such as the Good Estate Management for Schools manual and the Capital Advisers Programme. It states it keeps its guidance under review but does not commit to developing a new package of support within the next year.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
6.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented 6.2 It is the responsibility of responsible bodies to keep their buildings safe and carefully prioritise investment over time. It is already the case that where responsible bodies have serious issues with their buildings that cannot be managed independently, the department provides additional support on a case-by-case basis through the department’s capital teams. 6.3 The government has allocated over £15 billion since 2015 to improve the condition of the school estate, including £1.8 billion committed in financial year 2023-24. Funding allocations are informed by consistent data on the condition of the school estate, so that responsible bodies with schools in relatively poorer condition attract greater funding. In addition, the School Rebuilding Programme is transforming poor condition buildings at over 500 schools, including schools with RAAC that need rebuilding projects. 6.4 Around 31% of the estate by floor area has been built since 2000. The condition data survey also shows that over 95% of the individual condition grades awarded to building elements were As and Bs - meaning in a good or satisfactory condition. 6.5 The figure of 700,000 pupils in buildings that may require replacement stated by the National Audit Office (NAO) is often misinterpreted as it is based on the total number of pupils in schools nominated to the School Rebuilding Programme (SRP) in 2022 by responsible bodies (1097) and the first 100 previously selected by the department. Nominations to SRP give an indication of refurbishment need, but as responsible bodies self-nominated, this is, of course, subjective. The figure is also for all pupils in these schools, whereas buildings in poor condition are often only a part of each estate. 6.6 The department robustly assessed the nominations and selected schools with the greatest need. All nominations for schools with evidence of exceptional need, such as structural issues, verified by the department against the programme criteria, were included. 6.7 The department already provides extensive guidance and support to the sector on effective and safe management of school buildings, through the well-regarded Good estate management for schools manual, which sets out best practice, including strategic estate management, managing resources, prioritising maintenance and health and safety compliance, the Estate management competency framework which sets out the skills and knowledge needed to manage school estates at all levels, from operational staff through to leadership; and the Capital advisers programme (CAP) offers multi-academy trusts bespoke recommendations from experienced technical advisers. 6.8 The department, however, keeps its guidance and support under review so that it meets the needs of the sector.