Wednesbury school affected by crumble-risk concrete warns parents of potential disruption to start of new academic year
A school in Wednesbury has warned parents about potential disruption to the start of the new academic year after a survey revealed a building made with aerated concrete that is liable to sudden collapse.
Yesterday, it was revealed that more than 150 schools, nurseries and colleges in England had been told by the Government to close classrooms and other buildings that contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
RAAC is a lightweight building material used up to the mid-1980s but has since been assessed to be at risk of collapse.
Wood Green Academy has announced that an initial survey of the school in Wood Green Road during the summer found RAAC in part of Weston block.
In a letter to parents and carers, headteacher James Topham said a further more intrusive survey then took place which led to the immediate closure of that part of the site for safety reasons until remedial work has taken place.
Students were expected to return to school on Wednesday, with some classrooms closed until October, but the letter said the policy change announced by the Department for Education (DfE) "has significantly increased the likelihood of disruption to the start of the new academic year whilst further investigative work takes place".
The Health and Safety Executive has said the widely used material is now “life-expired” and could collapse with “little or no notice”.
In the letter, Mr Topham said: "With deep regret and some frustration I am writing to inform you about possible disruption to the start of the school’s new academic year next Wednesday.
"In line with DfE guidance, an initial RAAC survey of Wood Green took place over the summer and this revealed the presence of RAAC in part of Weston block.
"A further more intrusive survey has since taken place and this has led to the immediate closure of this part of the school for safety reasons until remedial work has taken place.
"Currently, there is no confirmed RAAC in other parts of the school.
"There have been subsequent on line meetings with DfE and the LA [local authority] and until yesterday, 31st August, the intention was to open the school to all students on Wednesday 4th September as planned, though with some classrooms closed until October.
"This plan changed yesterday afternoon, however, when DfE announced a policy change that took more of a zero tolerance approach toward risk.
"As stated, this policy change has significantly increased the likelihood of disruption to the start of the new academic year whilst further investigative work takes place.
"I realise that this would be incredibly frustrating for all concerned, especially students and staff, but please be assured that the absolute priority is the safety of students and staff."
He said next steps were to be confirmed with the DfE and parents would be notified "as soon as possible".
Yesterday, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Nothing is more important than making sure children and staff are safe in schools and colleges, which is why we are acting on new evidence about RAAC now, ahead of the start of term.
“The plan we have set out will minimise the impact on pupil learning and provide schools with the right funding and support they need to put mitigations in place to deal with RAAC.”
The DfE said it would not be disclosing how many schools will be told to close completely.
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