Headteacher unions are calling on the government to provide “financial protections” for schools at risk of collapse and provide funding to help students make up for lost learning.
In 2023, schools have been instructed to close buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) where existing safety measures are not in place.
Pepe DiAccio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told the BBC that affected schools could face reduced enrolments and continued disruption to existing pupils. “Even small changes in pupil numbers can have a significant impact on school budgets,” he said.
“This has been an issue for decades and will cause financial harm to affected schools for years to come.”
In February, 234 education sites in England were identified as having RAAC. The Department for Education had previously said that 119 of these schools, where the RAAC removal work is more extensive or complex, will have one or more buildings rebuilt or refurbished through the Government's Rebuild Schools programme.
In addition, 110 schools and colleges will be given grants to remove Raac from their buildings, which would normally be smaller scale work.
A Department for Education spokesman said: “We inherited a £22 billion budget deficit and improving school infrastructure will take time.
“By delivering economic stability and growth, we can repair the foundations of our economy, invest in public services to rebuild Britain and ensure our schools are future-ready.”
“We know that Raac has caused disruption to schools and colleges, which is why we have worked closely with schools and colleges to complete a Raac Identification Programme earlier this year. We are committed to working to remove Raac for good through grant funding and our school rebuild programme and to resolving this issue as quickly as possible.”
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Earlier this month, the Scottish Liberal Democrats demanded an update from the Scottish Government on the number of social housing properties affected and called for the RAAC to establish a national buildings register.
The move comes after 500 homes in Aberdeen were identified as being affected by concrete at risk of collapsing, and an independent structural engineer's report on the properties recommended council residents be relocated to alternative homes in the city.
