The list has been published today, 6 September, following calls by Labour and Liberal Democrats for the Prime Minister to reveal the names of the schools that have been contacted by the DfE because they contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which could pose a safety risk.
According to the DfE list, 70 per cent of the 104 impacted educational settings remain open for face-to-face learning.
A further 20 settings have put hybrid arrangements in place, while 19 have delayed the start of term by a few days. A total of four have had to put remote learning in place for a short period of time and nine have since been found not to have RAAC.
The DfE says that the 104 impacted nurseries, schools and colleges represent just 1 per cent of all educational settings.
The chancellor has confirmed that the Government will spend ‘whatever it takes’ to keep children safe. This includes paying for the emergency mitigation work, including alternative classroom space where necessary.
Today the Education Committee has invited the Government to answer questions about the actions it is taking to end the disruption affecting schools and colleges built with RAAC on Tuesday 19 September.
The Education Policy Institute (EPI) has also published a briefing paper summarizing the issue of RAAC in schools so far. It will build on the analysis if more schools are identified.
'It will always be my priority to ensure the safety of pupils and staff'.
Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said, ‘I know this is the last way parents, teachers and children affected by this wanted to begin the new term, but it will always be my priority to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.
‘Thanks to the hard work of schools, colleges, councils, diocese and academy trusts, the majority of settings where RAAC has been confirmed have opened to all pupils for the start of term.
‘We will continue to support all impacted settings in whatever way we can, whether that’s through our team of dedicated caseworkers or through capital funding to put mitigations in place.
‘We are also expediting surveys and urging all responsible bodies to tell us what they know about RAAC, so we can be confident that settings are safe and supported.’