Schools: Bassetlaw

(asked on 21st June 2017) - View Source

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many schools in Bassetlaw constituency have (a) asbestos and (b) no fire sprinkler system.


Answered by
Nick Gibb Portrait
Nick Gibb
This question was answered on 4th July 2017

The Department does not hold data centrally on asbestos or sprinkler systems in schools in the Bassetlaw constituency.

In March 2016, the Department carried out a data collection exercise, aimed at all schools to help us understand how asbestos is being managed across the country. 25.2% of schools responded, of which 83% indicated that asbestos was present on their school estate.

We intend to enhance our understanding of how effectively asbestos is being managed in schools, by asking all responsible bodies to provide a report on their schools’ compliance with associated legislation and guidance. Through this assurance process, responsible bodies can confirm whether asbestos is present in their schools and that they have the necessary processes and procedures in place, in relation to the management of asbestos, to ensure the safety of pupils, staff and visitors to their schools.

The Department has contacted all bodies responsible for safety in schools instructing them to carry out checks to identify any buildings which may require further investigation. We are asking that checks are carried out immediately to identify buildings that may require further investigation.

This analysis is to establish what, if any, external cladding has been used on these buildings. For these buildings, it will also check that where a fire risk assessment has identified the need to install a sprinkler system, it has been. This exercise will cover school buildings of all ages.

Reticulating Splines