School estate improving

Nine out of ten pupils, almost 635,000, are being taught in schools classed as being in a good or satisfactory condition according to new statistics.

School Estates 2020 statistics show that the proportion of schools reported as being in good or satisfactory condition has increased to 89.9%, up 1.6 percentage points over the last year and 29 percentage points since April 2007.

Since 2007-08, 958 schools have been built or substantially refurbished.

The number of pupils educated in schools classed as being in poor or bad condition is now at its lowest level since this series of statistics began, decreasing from around 257,000 in 2007 to around 62,000 in 2020.

Education Secretary John Swinney welcomed the progress made over the last 10 years to modernise schools as a result of sustained investment in infrastructure.

Mr Swinney said:

“These statistics show the tremendous progress we are making in building modern, high quality and fit for purpose schools that make a real difference for pupils and teachers. 9/10 pupils, more than ever before, are now being taught in good or satisfactory buildings.

“When complete in early 2021, the Schools for the Future Programme will have delivered 117 top quality school projects for more than 60,000 pupils, which does not include the local authorities’ own school improvement programmes.

“And our new £1 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme aims to benefit around 50,000 pupils across Scotland by the end of the next Parliament.”

Background

View School Estate Statistics

View Scotland’s Learning Estate Strategy.