Over 20 schools in one area of Yorkshire are in desperate need of repair as figures show that almost one in three schools in England have buildings that need urgent attention.
New figures show that over 7,000 schools across England have building components such as a roof, window or even walls deemed to be at “serious risk of imminent failure’.
This includes over 300 schools in Cabinet ministers’ seats – like Rishi Sunak’s in Yorkshire, reports The Mirror.
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Boris Johnson ’s seat of Uxbridge and South Ruislip has 19 crumbling schools, while Chancellor Rishi Sunak ’s constituency of Richmond in North Yorkshire has 21 schools with parts in need of immediate repair.
Liberal Democrat Education spokesperson Munira Wilson said: “Parents deserve to know that the schools they send their children to are safe. Yet these figures show that in schools across the country – from Twickenham to Tiverton – crumbling buildings are putting our children at risk.
The figures are based on a nationwide government survey of school buildings between 2017 and 2019, which graded buildings on a scale of A to D.
The Department for Education began a repeat of the survey last year, but ministers have so far refused to publish updated figures.
But MPs have shared shocking details of crumbling buildings and schools in desperate need of investment.
Inside Wales School near Sheffield which is in desperate need of repair
(Image: SWNS)
Labour ’s Rachael Maskell told MPs in March that Tang Hall Primary Academy in her York constituency had to introduce a uniform with hoodies and mittens because the school was so cold.
Other schools in her constituency reported falling masonry and ceiling tiles, leaky pipes and holes in the gym floor.
“In fact, when I went around, there was a new hole where the feet of children playing sport had gone through,” she said.
And the Mirror revealed in January the shocking conditions inside Wales High School, near Sheffield in South Yorkshire, which had more than 50 leaks in the roof, leaving children “cold and wet”.
The clapped-out drains are collapsing, there are cracks in windows caused by subsidence and the technology building has been closed because it is in such a state.
Site manager Martin Smith said: “It’s just a nightmare, we’re forever mopping up.”
Ms Wilson added: “Conservative ministers are too busy propping up Boris Johnson instead of dealing with pressing issues like repairing our schools. They are ignoring warnings from their own officials that some school buildings are unsafe, let alone fit for purpose.
“The Government must explain how they will ensure every one of these schools is repaired as soon as possible. Education is an investment in our children’s future, paying for itself in the long-run many times over. It is time for the Prime Minister to step up and give our schools the funding they so desperately need.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The safety of pupils and staff is paramount. We have one of the largest and most comprehensive condition data collection programmes in Europe, and this helps us to assess and manage risk across the estate.
“Buildings where there is a risk to health and safety will always be prioritised and we have allocated over £13 billion since 2015 to improve the condition of school buildings and facilities, including £1.8 billion this financial year.
“In addition, our new School Rebuilding Programme will transform the learning environment at 500 schools over the next decade, prioritising schools in poor condition or with potential safety issues.”
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