Guidance from the Department for Education has set a deadline of 1 February for schools and colleges to claim back up to £4,000 spent on RAAC surveys. Qualifying claims will be able to receive funding for up to £4,000 (including VAT) per setting. To file a claim, responsible bodies should complete a RAAC survey claim form and email their establishment’s name, RAAC status and the relevant RAAC survey invoice to RAAC.Awareness@education.gov.uk by 1 February 2024.

Eligible inspections: only in September and October

The original Department for Education announcement said that leaders will only be eligible to claim the money if the survey to identify the dangerous concrete in their premises was carried out between August 30 and November 1 last year.

Interested parties have approached the DfE for clarification as to why this is limited to a two-month period. Experts such as Surveyors to Education have been carrying out detailed surveys in schools and colleges across the country since the Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) issue was raised in September, and continue to be heavily involved in helping schools identify issues and plan remedial work.

Qualifying RAAC surveys

The original DfE guidance further stated that qualifying surveys:

• Must have had the primary purpose of identifying RAAC

• Must have been conducted by an appropriately qualified building surveyor or structural engineer

• Must have reported results through the RAAC questionnaire shortly afterwards.

Leaders will only be eligible for the funding if the DfE has not already funded or carried out a RAAC survey at the site.

Government funding for RAAC issues

It remains unclear where the funds for schools affected by RAAC will come from. Guidance updated at the beginning of September stated the government would fund surveys organised by responsible bodies “unless unforeseen issues are identified”. The government has also said it will “spend what it takes to make sure children can go to school safely.”

School surveys for RAAC

Our dedicated team at S2e has worked tirelessly to address the urgent RAAC needs of schools across the country.

We start by identifying whether RAAC is present at your educational establishment. Our comprehensive RAAC inspection surveys are non-intrusive surveys which examine the buildings to determine whether there is any presence of RAAC within their construction.

If RAAC is present, we provide a floor plan highlighting those areas. We will advise on the best form of action, including both short- and long-term options: for example, we are currently advising on the remediation of over 9,000m2 of RAAC roof panels.

Our priority is to help you ensure that your pupils can return to school promptly and safely.

For more information on RAAC surveys and remedial work in schools, please visit this link,, or contact us on 0116 5070130 or email enquire@s2e.org.uk.