The number of schools forced to close buildings because they contain crumbling concrete could rise, the schools minister Nick Gibb has said.
Labour has urged ministers to “come clean” and publish a list of the schools with buildings made from aerated concrete.
As he told GB News earlier: “The issue is any extensions or schools built in that period [1950s-1980s], and that’s where we’ve been focusing our surveys and evidence-gathering since 2022, so we know where RAAC is in the school estate.
“It’s in 156 schools. There may be more after that as these questionnaires continue to be surveyed and we continue to do more surveying work.”
Schools forced to close buildings
On BBC News Naga Munchetty asked Gibb: “What parents care about, today, is whether their children are going to a school that’s safe…
Nick Gibb replied: “You seem to be criticising us for being more proactive than other government’s around the world..”
This response is amazing…
Fair point?
Otto English wrote: “When the Tories came to power in 2010 they scrapped some 700 school building projects and cancelled plans to renovate or rebuild some 250 others. Undoubtedly that has absolutely nothing to do with this current “crumbling school” crisis because nothing is ever their fault.”
Schools to pay?
Gibb has denied a suggestion by the National Education Union (NEU) that the government is “expecting schools to pay” for temporary accommodation or additional transport.
Gibb said: “The NEU has misinterpreted the guidance. We are paying for those costs.
“If in the worst case scenario a school does have to close and we put portacabins into the grounds, all that cost will be covered by the department.
“And any remedial costs to the school building, that will all be covered by the Department for Education.”
Which schools have closed buildings so far ?
The list is growing all the time, follow it on the BBC HERE
Ferryhill School, a secondary in County Durham
Willowbrook Mead Primary Academy, Leicester
Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, Brixton, south London
Crossflats Primary school, Bradford
Eldwick Primary School, Bradford
Kingsdown School, Southend-on-Sea
What other schools have already been dealing with RAAC?
Parks Primary, Leicester – the school relocated several classes in May
Mistley Norman Church of England Primary, Manningtree – children have been taught in classrooms in another school since April
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