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More than half of headteachers across the UK report that significant portions of their schools are either unusable or unfit for purpose, a new survey has revealed.

The findings, released ahead of the NAHT school leaders’ union annual conference in Belfast, paint a stark picture of crumbling infrastructure, with educators citing mouldy walls, leaking roofs, and collapsed drains.

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of those affected by unfit areas specifically highlighted toilet blocks as being unsuitable, with 8 per cent even reporting closed facilities.

Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, described the situation in some schools as "desperate".

“Some of the stories we have heard from school leaders about the state of their buildings, and their struggles to secure the funding needed to rectify things, really beggar belief,” he said.

“No child or teacher should be expected to operate in draughty, crumbling buildings – doing so can risk their learning, health and safety.

“Children deserve modern, fit-for-purpose schools with fantastic facilities, but where we still have ageing buildings which aren’t even warm or watertight, that sadly feels like a pipe dream for many leaders.”

open image in gallery Nearly two in three of those who said areas of their school were unfit or closed (65 per cent) said toilet blocks at their schools were unfit for purpose, and 8 per cent said they had toilets that were closed. ( PA )

Two in five (41 per cent) of the NAHT members who said they had areas that were unfit for purpose or closed said special educational needs and disabilities (Send) facilities – such as dedicated classrooms, sensory rooms and outdoor spaces – were not fit for purpose.

A few leaders (7 per cent) said they had whole school blocks or blocks of mobile classrooms that were currently closed.

At the NAHT’s annual conference, members will debate a motion calling for the union to lobby the Government to fully fund essential capital spending across all state schools in England, with access to funding prioritised based upon need and safety.

Steve Hitchcock, headteacher at St Peter’s CE Primary School in Budleigh Salterton, and Devon branch secretary, said: “I need to replace old temporary classrooms. I have to throw good money after bad just to keep repairing leaks and issues.

“I don’t have enough money to replace carpets and decorate – simple annual tasks. The school estate is being run down. The longer this goes on the more money it will cost in the long run.”

Mr Hitchcock said he had to rely on fundraising and grants from local charities to bridge the gap in funding for the school’s buildings.

open image in gallery At the NAHT’s annual conference, members will debate a motion calling for the union to lobby the Government to fully fund essential capital spending across all state schools in England, with access to funding prioritised based upon need and safety ( Getty/iStock )

Almost all survey respondents (96%) said they do not receive enough capital funding to maintain their school buildings and estate.

“We have rooms that are closed to children, walls covered in mould, a leaking roof, sinking floorboards, unfit windows and a condemned playground,” one NAHT member said.

Another said: “The building is inadequate and falling apart. An MDF sheet is holding up a wall in our only hall. Over half the school is in temporary classrooms – the rest is falling down and riddled with asbestos.”

The Department for Education (DfE) has set out a decade-long plan to renew school buildings, backed by £1 billion. This will include £700 million to tackle maintenance issues in schools and colleges.

However, the National Audit Office has estimated the cost of restoring school buildings to a satisfactory condition is £13.8 billion.

The Education Select Committee has also warned significant risks remain across the UK’s ageing school buildings.

NAHT surveyed 326 members in February 2026.