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Tackling the £11.4 Billion Backlog: Why Refurbishment Is the Smartest Fix for Schools

  • Rob Main
  • 3 days ago
  • 3 min read

As of the latest DfE Condition of School Buildings Survey, the UK’s school estate faces a £11.4 billion maintenance backlog, with many buildings described as “end of life” or posing significant safety risks.



The School Estate Is Cracking Under Pressure


Peeling ceilings. Damaged washrooms. Obsolete labs. Leaking roofs. These aren’t just one-off issues, they’re symptoms of a nationwide crisis. With more than £11.4 billion in unresolved maintenance across the education estate, schools are being pushed to operate in spaces that are not only outdated, but in some cases, outright unsafe.


While budgets remain tight, the cost of doing nothing is rising. That’s why smart refurbishment, not just emergency repair, should be the strategy schools adopt in 2025 and beyond.


Old school building in need of urgent repair and refurbishment

Understanding the Scope of the Problem


The DfE’s 2021–2023 Condition of School Buildings Survey (CSBS) found:


  • Over 700,000 building elements across 22,000 schools need replacing

  • One in six buildings are beyond their estimated design life

  • Many issues involve essential systems like ventilation, wiring, plumbing and structure


Yet despite funding announcements and capital releases, most schools are stuck playing catch-up, fixing problems only after they become critical.



Why Repairs Alone Won’t Cut It


There’s a difference between fixing a leaking tap and rethinking a dysfunctional space. Patchwork maintenance often results in:


  • Short-term fixes that fail within years (or months)

  • Continual disruption to school operations

  • Escalating safety and compliance risks

  • Wasted budget on temporary solutions


Refurbishment is the smarter alternative. It allows you to address multiple issues at once, upgrade infrastructure, and improve functionality, while creating a better environment for learning.



The Hidden Cost of a Poor Estate


Beyond the immediate safety concerns, a deteriorating school estate affects:


  • Staff recruitment and retention (no one wants to work in a damp, cramped space)

  • Student morale and attendance

  • Safeguarding and accessibility compliance

  • Energy bills and environmental performance

  • Ofsted inspections and parental trust


In short, a run-down environment sends a message: “We don’t value the people inside it.”



Refurbishment: Smarter, Strategic, and Sustainable


Refurbishment gives schools the opportunity to:


  • Reimagine outdated layouts

  • Integrate smart storage and modular solutions

  • Upgrade to SGL materials and hygienic, vandal-proof finishes

  • Improve lighting, ventilation and acoustic performance

  • Address multiple maintenance concerns within a cohesive design strategy


Better still, it can be phased to minimise disruption and aligned with future net-zero targets.



How Brookhouse Supports Long-Term School Refurbishment Backlog


At Brookhouse, we don’t just deliver fit-outs, we help schools and MATs future-proof their buildings.


Whether you’re tackling urgent upgrades or long-term estate planning, we provide:


  • Full audits of existing layouts and infrastructure

  • Refurbishment proposals that prioritise durability and compliance

  • High-quality SGL furniture and surfaces, ideal for high-traffic areas

  • Sector-specific expertise across labs, washrooms, ICT suites and staffrooms

  • Term-time or holiday installation, phased to suit your schedule

  • Trusted support and transparent pricing from start to finish


We help you maximise your funding, minimise waste, and build environments that last.



Final Thought The maintenance crisis won’t solve itself. But with the right refurbishment approach, you can tackle more than just today’s problems, you can build a future-ready space that inspires everyone inside it.


Brookhouse can help you move from patch-ups to purpose-built solutions. Let’s start future-proofing your estate, one space at a time.


Ready to put your funding to work?


Get in touch with Brookhouse on 0345 383 0050, or email us on inspire@brookhouseuk.com


Let’s design a space that enables success.










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