Quick answer
In maintained schools the local authority is normally the dutyholder; in academies and MATs it is the trust; in voluntary-aided schools it is the governing body. All must comply with CAR 2012 Regulation 4, HSE 'Managing asbestos in schools' guidance, and the DfE's Asbestos Management Assurance Process.
Who holds the duty
The dutyholder varies by school type:
| School type | Dutyholder |
|---|---|
| Community / community special | Local authority |
| Foundation / voluntary-controlled | Local authority |
| Voluntary-aided | Governing body |
| Academy / free / MAT | Academy trust |
| Independent | Proprietor / trustees |
What good looks like
Current HSG264 survey, active management plan, annual reinspection, permit-to-work system for contractors, dedicated point of contact, and full audit trail. The DfE AMAP requires annual assurance.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions
Do we need to remove asbestos in schools?+
Not routinely. Manage-in-place with monitoring is the default, provided condition and access are appropriate.
Is asbestos in schools common?+
Yes — around 80% of UK schools contain some asbestos, and this is not itself a compliance failure.