Scalby School, Scarborough delays term as RAAC found

Scalby School in Scarborough has become the latest school in the region to be told its buildings are affected by the material which could put pupils at risk.

It is currently putting provisions in place to teach its 1,000 pupils while repair work is carried out.

Read more: LISTED: The North East schools forced to close over collapse-risk concrete fears

In a letter sent to parents on Friday afternoon headteacher Mr Robertson said: “We believe significant parts of the school site are affected by the change in guidance. This also includes access routes around the school building. This is going to have a significant impact on the education provision we can offer in the short term.

“However, I must inform you that school will not now reopen until Monday 11th September. This will allow us time to reorganise the school curriculum, work with contractors to start work to reopen parts of the building and ensure that the school is fully risk-assessed.

“Following my initial conversations with the DFE and contractors I must inform you that reopening is likely to be a mix of face-to-face and online home learning.”

North Yorkshire Council confirmed that Scalby is the only school in North Yorkshire on a list of 104 educational establishments collated by the government.

North Yorkshire Council director of children and young people’s service, Stuart Carlton, said: “Our priority is the safety of our children and all staff working in schools. We are aware of one school in the county which has been constructed using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

Read next:

• County Durham school forced to delay new term over crumbling concrete fears
• Primary school with RAAC concrete given day's notice to close despite inspection
• 'Shambolic' situation as another school finds out it has crumbling concrete

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“Scalby School in Scarborough has been asked to close the buildings affected. The school is required to make suitable arrangements to continue the education of their 1,000 pupils until safety work can be carried out.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with Coast and Vale Learning Trust, which oversees Scalby School, and the Department of Education. We would like to reassure parents or guardians that any school affected by RAAC will contact them directly.

“Scalby School is the only one in North Yorkshire on the current Department for Education list of 104 schools affected.”