School estate statistics 2020

Chapter 1: Introduction

This publication contains information collected in the annual School Estates Core Facts Survey. The survey collects information on the condition, suitability and capacity of all local authority schools open on 1^st April. Information is also collected on all schools that were built or substantially refurbished during the financial year (1^st April to 31^st March).

It does not cover grant-aided schools, independent schools or early learning and childcare establishments.

This publication contains information from the 2020 survey, covering:

• Schools open on 1 April 2020.
• Schools built or substantially refurbished between 1^st April 2019 and 31^st March 2020.

At the time of publication, the 2020 school estates data for Dundee City was not available. Therefore, tables have used 2019 data where appropriate, with data missing in those where using 2019 data would not provide an accurate reflection of 2020. Both of these approaches allow valid comparisons between the statistics for 2020 and the statistics for previous years. The specific approach used is described in the relevant sections of this report. Revised 2020 statistics will be published in the 2021 School Estate Statistics publication. Please see section 6.2 of the background notes for more information.

Further local authority and school level information is provided in the supplementary tables.

These statistics are used to monitor progress in improving the school estate and inform future spending decisions.

School condition

• This is the current state of the fabric of the school building.

School suitability

• This is a measure of whether a school building is fit for the purpose of delivering the education curriculum.

1.1: Key definitions

Please see the Glossary for further definitions.

30 schools were built or substantially refurbished in 2019-20

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