RAAC to be Removed From Schools in England by 2029, Says Education Secretary

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29 October 2025

The government has confirmed timelines for the complete removal of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete from schools and colleges in England.

The Department for Education wants all schools and colleges to be RAAC-free before the next General Election.

RAAC was used to construct parts of the public sector estate in the past, including schools and healthcare buildings. It has a limited lifespan, after which it deteriorates significantly. It was used widely in the UK from the mid-1950s to the mid-1980s. In June 2023, The National Audit Office said that over a third (24,000) of English school buildings are past their estimated initial design life, and the possibility of a building collapse or failure causing death or injury has been a “critical and very likely” risk since summer 2021. 

237 schools or colleges have confirmed Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in their buildings. 123 of these will be rebuilt through the School Rebuilding Programme, 108 will receive grants for RAAC removal works, and six have “alternative arrangements” such as affected buildings not being part of their estate in the longer term.

RAAC has been permanently removed from 62 schools and colleges so far.

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said:  “We inherited a crumbling education estate, but I won’t let that be our legacy. 

“After years of neglect we are giving every child a safe and high-quality classroom where they can focus on learning - by setting clear timelines for the permanent removal of RAAC from schools and colleges. It’s what parents expect, it’s what children deserve and it’s what we are delivering.    

“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. “

Picture: a photograph of a person sitting at a desk using coloured pencils. Image Credit: Pixabay

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 29 October 2025

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