Mark Whitehead 23 May 2023

Union calls for information on state of school buildings

Union calls for information on state of school buildings  image
Image: Tom Gowanlock / Shutterstock.com.

Local government union Unison has backed a Labour demand that information on the state of school buildings must be published.

The union’s head of education Mike Short says the potentially dangerous state of some school buildings is a matter of ‘urgent public interest’.

Labour has attacked a Government decision not to publish the Buildings Conditions Survey despite a claim by the Department for Education in December that some schools were in danger of collapsing.

Approached by a national newspaper last week to ask when it now intended to publish the data, the DfE gave no new date and would not explain why its position had changed.

Labour says parents will be ‘outraged at the Government’s continued refusal to tell them the location and condition of buildings which pose a risk to their children’s lives.’

Mr Short said: ‘The potentially dangerous state of some school buildings is a matter of urgent public interest.

‘Parents, carers and staff should be told if any school buildings are on the brink of collapse.

‘This is a disaster waiting to happen. By concealing the truth, ministers are failing in their duty of care to protect thousands of pupils and staff by exposing them to such threats.’

The Department for Education yesterday announced that school buildings across the country are set to receive a share of over £450m of funding to help improve their condition.

Sign up here to recieve our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Team Leaders

Durham County Council
Grade 8 £32,597 - £36,363
Team Leaders – Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area   Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Residential Workers

Durham County Council
Grade 7 £30,024 - £33,699
Residential Workers - Opportunities are available across the County Durham Area Salary
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Classroom Teacher - Maternity Cover

Durham County Council
£32,916 - £45,352
Teacher (Maternity cover – to be discussed at Interview) MPS 1-6 £32,916 - £45,352 Full time, Temporary – maternity cover Required from September 2026 Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Administrator

Durham County Council
£26,403- £28,598
School Administrator Grade 5 - £26,403- £28,598 Permanent - Part Time (18.5 hours over 3 days, Hours to be arranged with Headteacher) Required to star Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Teacher

Durham County Council
£32,916 - £51,048
Teacher MPS 1-6 / UPS1-3 £32,916 to £51,048 per annum Permanent, Full Time Required for September 2026 Are you an inspirational teacher?  Do you want Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner