Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 26
26
Rejected
700,000 pupils learning in schools requiring major rebuilding, but only 500 will be addressed
Conclusion
Around 700,000 pupils are learning in a school which the responsible body or DfE believes requires major rebuilding or refurbishment, given safety issues or poor general building condition (which might mean problems with a combination of items, such as roofs, windows and heating systems). This figure is derived from the 1,200 schools that responsible bodies have nominated, or DfE has selected, for the 10-year School Rebuilding Programme. While 1,200 schools were considered for the programme, DfE aims to rebuild or refurbish blocks in the most urgent need across only 500 schools.42
Government Response Summary
The government rejects the interpretation of the 700,000 pupils figure, explaining it is often misinterpreted because it includes all pupils in self-nominated schools for the School Rebuilding Programme, even if only part of the estate is in poor condition.
Government Response
Rejected
HM Government
Rejected
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.