At least 39 schools closed in last three years in England due to unsafe buildings

Concerns over the crumbling condition of England’s state schools are increasing, with many pupils being relocated to alternative sites. Photograph: Roger Coulam/Alamy

At least 39 state schools in England have been forced to close either partially or entirely in the last three years because one or more buildings have been deemed unsafe, the government has confirmed.

In three cases, concerns about building safety were so extensive that the entire school site had to be closed down permanently, with pupils moved off-site to alternative accommodation.