Over the school summer holidays, our asbestos surveying and analytical teams have been hard at work tackling the urgent issue of asbestos in schools, an ongoing challenge that demands immediate attention.
More than a year has passed since the National Audit Office released its report Condition of School Buildings, yet unfortunately, little progress has been made.
Published on 28th June 2023, this report assesses school buildings across the UK, focusing on whether the Department for Education is meeting its goal of ensuring safe, well-maintained environments essential for high-quality education. The findings, however, reveal a worrying reality.
Alarming Statistics
The report revealed that 38% of school buildings have exceeded their original design life—buildings that could continue to serve if they received proper maintenance.
As it stands, around 700,000 students are attending schools that responsible authorities have flagged as needing significant refurbishment or rebuilding.
Of the 21,000 schools surveyed in England, comprising a total of 64,000 individual buildings, a notable 3,600 are system-built structures, a method popular in the 1950s and 1960s due to its speed and cost-efficiency. Unfortunately, many of these buildings were constructed with asbestos, and as they age, they are deteriorating, posing a growing risk.
A Ticking Time Bomb
As these buildings decay, they present a ticking time bomb, potentially exposing students, teachers, and staff to harmful asbestos fibres every day.
Funding Gaps
From 2016/17 to 2022/23, 15% of eligible schools didn’t apply for funding to maintain or repair their facilities. This could be due to a lack of awareness about available funding or confusion over application processes, which vary depending on whether a school is independent, local authority-run, or part of an academy trust.
Furthermore, there is a considerable gap between the available funding and what the Department for Education estimates is needed. Often, funds are allocated for emergency repairs rather than planned, proactive maintenance, a strategy that the Department itself acknowledges does not offer long-term value for money. Essentially, temporary fixes are being applied while the underlying issues persist.
As costs continue to rise and budgets become more constrained, the need to address asbestos in schools is more pressing than ever. Tackling the problem now will be far more cost-effective than delaying it for another decade or more.
A Significant Safety Hazard
Asbestos in school buildings presents a major safety risk, particularly if not properly managed. Despite this, attention often shifts to aesthetic improvements—new classrooms, modern offices—while the critical issue of asbestos removal is overlooked until it unexpectedly blows a project’s budget.
With most school budgets firmly set, any unforeseen asbestos-related costs, sometimes an extra £50,000 or more, can cause projects to be delayed or postponed until additional funding is secured.
Given the deteriorating condition of many school buildings and the presence of asbestos, urgent action is required to manage and, where possible, remove this hazardous material. This is especially vital considering children are more vulnerable to asbestos exposure due to their developing lungs.
The Time to Act is Now
The harsh reality is that many of England’s schools are old, crumbling, and contain asbestos. We’ve highlighted the poor management of asbestos and constrained budgets, but it’s crucial to remember that children are particularly at risk from asbestos fibres.
Action must be taken now
Many headteachers and their teams are already campaigning for improvements in their schools’ poor conditions, but managing building works and asbestos is not their responsibility—they should be focused on educating. That’s where we come in.
The best time to address asbestos in schools is during the holidays, when buildings are empty. If you’re concerned about your school’s building, we can help. Schedule an assessment or action for the upcoming October half-term—or sooner, if urgent.
Remember: asbestos should be dealt with first, not last.
How We Can Help You
Bradley Environmental Consultants is a professional asbestos consultancy that helps organisations comply with asbestos regulations through asbestos surveys, asbestos testing, asbestos fibre air monitoring, and asbestos removal project management.
To obtain a free quotation or learn more about our services and asbestos training, contact us today.
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