Concrete cladding - monitoring building condition
Departmental guidance to support monitoring of building condition by schools and responsible bodies.
Applies to England
The Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) closed on 31 March 2025. All activity has moved to the Department for Education (DfE). You should continue to follow this guidance.
Concrete cladding is used in the construction of external walls of many school buildings. It can crack or delaminate, potentially giving rise to risks if not well maintained.
Causes of concrete defects are known and are relatively easy to address if identified in good time.
This guidance recommends periodic inspection and provides information to help schools and responsible bodies undertake such inspections effectively.
The guidance is for all those with responsibilities for maintaining school buildings, including head teachers, business managers and facilities managers.