ASCL comment on updated list of RAAC-affected schools

Commenting on the updated list from the Department for Education showing 27 more schools with confirmed reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“Huge credit should be given to the extraordinary work of schools affected by RAAC in minimising disruption to children and providing educational continuity despite these very difficult circumstances. Leaders and staff are straining every sinew to manage this challenging situation with their customary calm professionalism and commitment.

“We are pleased that the Department for Education has put in place case workers and project delivery teams to support schools. It is vital that everything is now done to help schools minimise the time that children are in temporary accommodation and to get them back into permanent classrooms as soon as possible.

“It is also essential that the government urgently looks at the wider question of the inadequacy of capital funding for the school estate – which has been cut by nearly 50% in real terms over the past 13 years. It has a golden opportunity in the forthcoming autumn statement to commit to a more realistic level of investment and demonstrate that it has learned lessons from the RAAC crisis.”