Southampton: Hunt launched for any RAAC in city schools

More than 100 UK schools have already been told to close or partially close following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

The government has angered parents by giving the order just days before the start of the autumn term.

Pupils in schools across the country have been warned they will have to resume their studies either online or in temporary facilities.

Ministers have not said when a list of the affected sites will be published.

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that schools with RAAC will need to fully or partially relocate to alternative facilities while urgent safety work is carried out.

A Southampton City Council spokesperson said: "The council is aware of the issue of RAAC and initially surveyed schools in 2019.

"This summer, the DfE changed their guidance to expand the areas to be surveyed.

"As a result, the DfE has contacted all local authorities to undertake inspections of their school buildings. The council are working closely with them to identify and isolate any RAAC in the school buildings.

"We will continue to work with the DfE to minimise the impact on learning and if there are any schools identified with RAAC we will put mitigations in place to deal with this.

"Until such time all inspections have been completed, we are unable to provide further information.

"The safety of the children and staff is our priority, which is why we continue to work proactively to monitor all buildings closely and to identify any RAAC in the buildings."

Pupils are awaiting to learn if their school contains a defective type of concrete that could cause ceilings to collapse (Image: Newsquest.)

None of the schools maintained by Hampshire County Council is being closed.

A county council spokesperson said: "We can confirm that Cranbourne College in Basingstoke is the only site where RAAC has been identified among our maintained schools.

"Temporary works have already been undertaken to one section of the building to make sure it is safe and another area has been taken out of use since the beginning of the year.

"However, the school is expected to open as normal at the start of the autumn term."

Cllr Kevin Bentley, senior vice-chairman of the Local Government Association, added: "Leaving this announcement until near the end of the summer holidays has left schools and councils with very little time to make urgent rearrangements and minimise disruption.

"Councils will be supporting schools who have to close affected buildings, including by providing alternative spaces.

"The government should provide councils with the necessary funding and technical expertise to repair or replace those buildings with RAAC."