Statement on RAAC school closures
Parents will understandably be very concerned by the news today regarding certain local schools that will not be re-opening next week. This is due to structural surveys that found issues linked with the use of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
I have been in contact with the Department for Education and Essex County Council, and I am working with our local authority and the affected schools both in terms of the immediate response to ensure disruption to the start of term is kept as minimal as possible, and the wider capital works that will be required to rectify the structural issues.
The risks caused by RAAC have been known about for some time and work should have been taking place in recent months to identify schools affected and put in place plans to make buildings safe. It is deeply worrying to see that pupils could have their education and learning affected.
I know our local schools will be working hard to support pupils at this time, and I have demanded that the Government takes the urgent action necessary to make these buildings affected by RAAC safe.