Half of England’s schools unfit due to leaks, mould and faulty toilets, poll finds

The National Audit Office has said it will cost £14bn to restore school buildings in England to a satisfactory condition. Photograph: Sydney Bourne/Getty Images/Image Source

Half of headteachers say parts of their school are either out of use or unfit for purpose due to leaks, damp, mould, asbestos, ageing boilers and malfunctioning fire doors, according to a new survey by the National Association of Head Teachers(NAHT).

Among those who say their schools are suffering, almost three-quarters (73%) say they have toilet blocks that are either closed (8%) or not fit for purpose (65%).