More than half of headteachers across the UK report that significant portions of their schools are either unusable or unfit for purpose due to mould, asbestos and leaks.
The findings, released ahead of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) school leaders’ union annual conference in Belfast, paint a stark picture of crumbling infrastructure, with educators citing mouldy walls, leaking roofs, and collapsed drains.
Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of those affected by unfit areas specifically highlighted toilet blocks as being unsuitable, with 8 per cent even reporting closed facilities.
“We have rooms that are closed to children, walls covered in mould, a leaking roof, sinking floorboards, unfit windows and a condemned playground,” one NAHT member said.
Another said: “The building is inadequate and falling apart. An MDF sheet is holding up a wall in our only hall. Over half the school is in temporary classrooms – the rest is falling down and riddled with asbestos.”
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, described the situation in some schools as “desperate”.
“Some of the stories we have heard from school leaders about the state of their buildings, and their struggles to secure the funding needed to rectify things, really beggar belief,” he said.
“No child or teacher should be expected to operate in draughty, crumbling buildings – doing so can risk their learning, health and safety.
“Children deserve modern, fit-for-purpose schools with fantastic facilities, but where we still have ageing buildings which aren’t even warm or watertight, that sadly feels like a pipe dream for many leaders.”
Two in five (41 per cent) of the NAHT members who said they had areas that were unfit for purpose or closed said special educational needs and disabilities (Send) facilities – such as dedicated classrooms, sensory rooms and outdoor spaces – were not fit for purpose.
A few leaders (7 per cent) said they had whole school blocks or blocks of mobile classrooms that were currently closed.
At the NAHT’s annual conference, members will debate a motion calling for the union to lobby the government to fully fund essential capital spending across all state schools in England, with access to funding prioritised based on need and safety.
Steve Hitchcock, headteacher at St Peter’s CE Primary School in Budleigh Salterton, and Devon branch secretary, said: “I need to replace old temporary classrooms. I have to throw good money after bad just to keep repairing leaks and issues.
“I don’t have enough money to replace carpets and decorate – simple annual tasks. The school estate is being run down. The longer this goes on the more money it will cost in the long run.”
Mr Hitchcock said he had to rely on fundraising and grants from local charities to bridge the gap in funding for the school’s buildings.
Almost all survey respondents (96 per cent) said they do not receive enough capital funding to maintain their school buildings and estate.
The Department for Education (DfE) has set out a decade-long plan to renew school buildings, backed by £1 billion. This will include £700 million to tackle maintenance issues in schools and colleges.
However, the National Audit Office has estimated the cost of restoring school buildings to a satisfactory condition is £13.8 billion.
A DfE spokesperson said: “We are already turning the page on years of decline in the school estate – fixing a legacy of neglect, committing to removing Raac for good and delivering a decade of national renewal.
“Schools have had to patch and mend buildings for too long – that ends under this government. For the first time, we are providing long-term investment, rising to almost £3 billion per year over the next decade to improve the condition of our schools and colleges.
“It’s about more than just buildings – it’s about showing children that their education matters, their futures matter, and this government is determined to give them the best possible start in life.”
The Education Select Committee has warned significant risks remain across the UK’s ageing school buildings.
NAHT surveyed 326 members in February 2026 for the report.
