New Plan to Address Aging and Fragile Schools Following RAAC Crisis

A new report from the cross-party Education Committee reveals that many school buildings in England remain in a fragile state. While significant progress has been made in removing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) - the unsafe material that caused widespread closures in 2023—the broader school estate continues to deteriorate.

The government has committed to ensuring all schools are either free of RAAC or undergoing a rebuild by 2029.

Focus on Inclusion and SEND

A major component of the 10-year plan is making schools more inclusive for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

• Inclusion Bases: In the future, all secondary schools will be expected to have an "inclusion base." These units allow SEND students to access support within their own community and stay connected with their peers rather than being educated in corridors or outside of mainstream settings; and

• Goal: Standards Minister Georgina Gould suggested that these "nurturing spaces" will help more pupils eventually transition into mainstream education.

Upcoming Policy Changes

These infrastructure changes are part of a larger drive to improve SEND support in mainstream schools. Further details are expected in the upcoming schools white paper. Initially scheduled for last autumn, the white paper has been delayed until early 2026, with ministers stating it will be released "soon."

Broader Infrastructure Goals

The 10-year plan isn't just about adding rooms; it's about fundamentally changing school design to be "fit for purpose":

• Accessibility: New builds will be required to have wider corridors, better acoustics, and "break-out" spaces to accommodate neurodivergent students; and

• Efficiency: The plan aims to replace the "patch and mend" culture (fixing leaky roofs) with a proactive rebuilding program that prioritizes schools with the worst RAAC or structural damage first.

The Government’s 10-Year Strategy

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has launched a 10-year plan intended to be a "turning point" for educational infrastructure. She stated that for too long, schools have been forced to "patch and mend" buildings, distracting from the primary goal of providing high-quality education.

Key Findings from the Education Committee

• Ongoing Disruption: Despite improvements, some schools still operate with partial closures, using marquees or modular buildings for lessons;

• Scale of the Issue: The National Audit Office previously estimated that 700,000 children were being taught in unsafe or aging environments;

• Funding: The government has allocated £2.4 billion for the 2025/26 period to improve the condition of school and college buildings; and

• Information Gaps: MPs warned that there are still gaps in the data regarding the overall condition of the wider school estate in England.