In 2023, just days before schools were due to open for the autumn term, the Conservative government suddenly ordered the closure of over 100 school buildings in England because of safety concerns.
This was due to these buildings being constructed of a type of concrete that is prone to collapse, known as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
What is the RAAC situation across the UK?
England: The list of education settings with confirmed RAAC now stands at 234 (as of February 2024). The DfE have said this is the ‘final list’ and that all sites with suspected RAAC have now been inspected. All these settings are open for face-to-face learning.
Scotland: Structural inspections have been carried out across Scotland to identify where RAAC is present. Those schools where RAAC is found have various safety measures in place to mitigate risks: some buildings have been closed while others are still being investigated or monitored.
Wales: Local authorities in Wales identified five schools where RAAC is present. Mitigations are now in place in these schools and all schools in Wales are open to pupils.
Northern Ireland: In Northern Ireland, the Department of Education commissioned the Education Authority (EA) to carry out structural surveys to ascertain whether RAAC is present within schools in Northern Ireland. RAAC was identified in one school in November 2023 and mitigations were put in place.