More than 100 schools across England will not be able to open on time for the start of the new autumn term due to new fears over a certain type of concrete.
Concerns have arisen due to school buildings being made with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
It is a cheaper alternative to standard concrete but is also considered to be less durable.
Additionally, its aerated nature makes it "susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture" BBC News reports.
Some pupils have already been told they will be learning remotely, in temporary classrooms or at different schools.
In total, the Department for Education (DfE) has newly identified 104 schools and sixth forms with problems.
The number of schools forced to close buildings because they contain crumbling concrete could rise. Back in February @JaneDodgeC4 exposed the dangers of RAAC concrete for @Channel4News pic.twitter.com/EJW3pqKYhV
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) September 1, 2023
It is understood a full list of them will only be released when all parents are informed and mitigations are in place.
Ahead of this Sky News verified a list of schools that are impacted by this situation.
Which schools are affected by RAAC safety fears?
The list of schools that Sky News has "independently confirmed" as being affected are as follows:
- Aston Manor Academy, Birmingham (no students expected to be at school in-person until September 11)
- Clacton County High School, Essex (closed for all year groups on September 4 with different arrangements for different years following that)
- Corpus Christi Catholic School, London
- Crossflatts Primary School, Bradford, West Yorkshire
- East Bergholt High School, Colchester, Essex (The school is considering delaying its opening or only opening some areas and is expected to update parents on Monday)
- Eldwick Primary School, Bradford, West Yorkshire
- Ferryhill School, County Durham (new starters are expected to start a week late with rest being taught online)
- Hadleigh High School, Hadleigh, Suffolk (The school is considering delaying its opening or only opening some areas and is expected to update parents on Monday)
- Hockley Primary School, Essex
- Honywood School, Colchester, Essex (22 classrooms expected to close with a rota system for year groups attending school)
- Kingsdown School, Southend, Essex
- Mistley Norman Church of England Primary School, Essex
- Our Lady's Catholic High School, Fulwood, Lancashire (closed on September 4 and 5)
- Ravens Academy, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex
- Scalby School, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
- Springfield Primary School, Chelmsford, Essex
- St Anne's Catholic Primary School, Harlow Green, Tyne and Wear
Labour is calling for an audit of the concrete used in public buildings in England.
— BBC Radio 5 Live (@bbc5live) September 2, 2023
More than 100 schools are making arrangements after being told to shut buildings with a type of concrete called RAAC.
Schools across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are being checked. pic.twitter.com/Tv9pC4qCuy
- St Bede's Catholic School and Byron Sixth Form College, Peterlee, County Durham (opening delayed until September 5)
- St Clere's School, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex
- St Francis Catholic Primary School, Ascot, Berkshire
- St James Catholic School, Hebburn, Tyne and Wear
- St John Bosco Catholic Primary School, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear (closed September 5)
- St Leonard's School, Durham, County Durham (will not reopen for its first week)
- St Mary Magdalene Academy, London
- St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, Darlington, County Durham (won't reopen until at least September 11)
- St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive, Eltham, London
- St William of York Catholic Primary School, Bolton, York
- The Appleton School, Benfleet, Essex (three year groups are not expected to be back in school this week)
- The Billericay School, Billericay, Essex (some groups to have online learning)
- The Bromfords School, Wickford, Essex
- The Gilberd School, Colchester, Essex (Years 8-11 will return to school on 11 September, with Year 7 pupils returning a day later)
- Thurstable School, Tiptree, Essex (phased reopening with only some years coming in and online work)
- Waddesdon Church of England School, Buckinghamshire
- Willowbrook Mead Primary Academy, Leicester (set to be closed on September 4)
- Wood Green Academy, Wednesbury, West Midlands (disruption at start of terms is possible)
- Woodville Primary School, Chelmsford, Essex (closed until September 11)
Labour is calling for an urgent audit of the use of a type of concrete known as RAAC in public buildings including schools, hospitals and courts.
— BBC Breakfast (@BBCBreakfast) September 2, 2023
Shadow Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell spoke to #BBCBreakfasthttps://t.co/jCt20JqOnm pic.twitter.com/l7j928fbm2
Other schools that are reportedly affected but have not been independently verified by Sky News are:
- Abbey Lane Primary School, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
- Altrincham College, Timperley, Manchester
- Baynards Primary School, Essex
- Canon Slade School, Bolton, Greater Manchester
- Carmel College, Darlington
- Carnarvon Primary School, Bingham, Nottinghamshire
- Cockermouth School, Cumbria
- Cranbourne, Basingstoke, Hampshire
- Donnington Wood Infant School and Nursery, Donnington, Shropshire
- St Andrews Junior School, Hatfield Peverel, Essex
- Holy Trinity Catholic Academy, Newark, Nottinghamshire
- Jerounds Primary School, Harlow, Essex
- Katherines Primary Academy, Harlow, Essex
- Mayflower Primary School, Leicester
- Myton School, Warwick
- Outwoods Primary School, Atherstone, Warwickshire
- Parks Primary School, Leicester
- Roding Valley High School, Loughton, Essex
- Sale Grammar School, Sale, Manchester
- St Gregory's Catholic Science College, Harrow, London
- Stanway Fiveways Primary School, Colchester, Essex
- The Ramsey Academy, Halstead, Essex
- White Hall Academy, Clacton, Essex
- Winter Gardens Academy, Canvey Island, Essex
- Wyburns Primary School, Rayleigh, Essex
Experts have warned that the crisis over RAAC could extend beyond the education sector – with healthcare settings, courts and offices also potentially at risk.
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