Around 30,000 pupils are now learning in safer, modern classrooms as the government announces a major milestone in its mission to eradicate RAAC concrete from schools and colleges across England.
The Department for Education has confirmed that RAAC has been fully removed from 52 schools through targeted grant funding. A further 71 schools are being rebuilt under the School Rebuilding Programme, with 52 of those projects initiated under the current government.
This progress is part of a wider national effort to fix the crumbling public estate, with seven hospitals now RAAC-free and 12 more set to follow by March 2026, backed by £440 million in funding this year alone.
The government’s Plan for Change is tackling decades of underinvestment, with 60% of RAAC-affected schools and 50% of hospitals either RAAC-free or in the process of removal. All affected sites have robust safety measures in place to ensure services continue while permanent fixes are underway.
The investment includes:
- £38 billion in education capital over five years
- Nearly £3 billion annually for school maintenance through to 2034–35
- Almost £20 billion to rebuild schools, including 250 new rebuilds on top of the 500 already announced
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education, said:
“High-quality classrooms show every child that their education matters – and that their future matters to this government. We are repairing the fabric of our schools and restoring the pride pupils feel in their classrooms.
“As part of our Plan for Change, we are delivering the largest school improvement programme in a generation—moving beyond short-term fixes to create lasting benefits for pupils, teachers, and communities.
“After years of neglect, we inherited a school estate in urgent need of repair. Now, with unprecedented long-term investment, we are breaking down barriers to opportunity and building schools where every child can thrive.”
These efforts are delivering net zero, climate-resilient buildings that will inspire future generations and minimise disruption to education and healthcare services.
This infrastructure renewal is laying the foundations for national prosperity, ensuring every child has the best start in life and every patient receives care in a safe, modern setting.
Image credit: iStock
