The Government has set a firm timetable to remove Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) from every school and college in England, pledging that all children will learn in RAAC-free classrooms ahead of the next general election.

The move marks a full stop for the crumbling concrete crisis, with the Department for Education confirming that 62 schools and colleges have now been fully cleared of the problem material.

A total of 237 schools were confirmed to have RAAC in their buildings, all now open for full-time face-to-face teaching.

Of these, 123 will be completely rebuilt through the government’s School Rebuilding Programme, while 108 are receiving targeted grants for RAAC removal work delivered by local authorities or academy trusts.

The DfE said over half of the School Rebuilding Programme projects are already on site or in delivery, under its focus on tackling RAAC.

Six schools are operating under alternative arrangements, where affected blocks are not part of their long-term estate.

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.”