UK schools in ‘desperate situation’ as headteachers report mouldy walls, leaks and asbestos
More than half of UK headteachers report that parts of their schools are unusable or unfit due to issues like mould, leaks, and asbestos, according to a survey by the NAHT union. Educators describe deteriorating conditions including collapsing infrastructure, unsafe toilets, and reliance on temporary classrooms. Union leaders warn the situation is 'desperate' and call for urgent government funding. The Department for Education says it is investing long-term to address the backlog, though the estimated repair cost far exceeds current allocations.
- ▪Over 50% of surveyed headteachers said significant areas of their schools are unusable or unfit due to structural and environmental issues.
- ▪65% of those with unfit areas reported toilet blocks as unsuitable, with 8% having closed facilities.
- ▪41% of respondents said special educational needs and disabilities (Send) facilities were not fit for purpose.
- ▪Almost all surveyed school leaders (96%) stated they do not receive enough capital funding to maintain their buildings.
- ▪The National Audit Office estimates it would cost £13.8 billion to bring school buildings up to standard, compared to the government’s £1 billion commitment.
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NewsUKHome NewsUK schools in ‘desperate situation’ as headteachers report mouldy walls, leaks and asbestosTeachers have reported leaking roofs, unsuitable toilets and a condemned playground Holly Evans Tuesday 28 April 2026 11:28 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2965851","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/schools-naht-union-headteachers-b2965851.html","title":"UK schools in ‘desperate situation’ as headteachers report mould and asbestos"}}open image in gallery{"id":"trigger-autogallery-18923","index":0}NAHT general secretary Paul Whiteman said some UK schools were in a ‘desperate situation’ (Getty/iStock)Your support helps us to tell the storyRead moreSupport NowFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more{}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. if (document.cookie.split(';').some(cookie => cookie.trim() === '__DEBUG__=true')) { console.log('Ad logs: "mpu1", renderedAtParagraph: 3'); }if (document.cookie.split(';').some(cookie => cookie.trim() === '__DEBUG__=true')) { console.log('Ad logs: "mpu1", injectedAtParagraph: 3'); }“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".open image in gallery{"id":"trigger-autogallery-18924","index":1}Nearly two in three of those who said areas of their school were unfit or closed (65 per cent) said toilet blocks at their schools were unfit for purpose, and 8 per cent said they had toilets that were closed…
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