RAAC Concrete Identified in Dozens More Schools
An updated list shows a surge in the number of educational institutions in England where unhealthy reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been identified. The tally now stands at 174 schools and colleges, and among the new additions is Lincolnshire's own Grantham College.
About RAAC
RAAC is a lightweight, 'bubbly' form of concrete used extensively between the 1950s and the 1990s. Its affordability made it popular among developers, although it is estimated to have a lifespan of only 30 years. Worsening matters, the Health and Safety Executive has flagged up a potential risk of RAAC's sudden collapse.
The Lincolnshire Context
At this time, Lincolnshire's councils have pledged to investigate the presence of RAAC in social housing, while expressing confidence about its absence. Additionally, the county council has categorically stated that RAAC is not present in any schools under local authority maintenance.
The Fallout
Baroness Barran, School system minister, and Susan Acland-Hood, the Department for Education's top official, have been called to answer questions about the situation before the cross-party Education Select Committee. This comes hot on the heels of their interrogation by the Public Accounts committee, when they were disinclined to divulge the number of schools still needing checks for dodgy concrete.
"We are not playing a game,” said Dame Meg Hillier, addressing the civil servants.
The officials acknowledged that over 600 surveys have been completed in schools suspected to have RAAC but refused to reveal the number of remaining surveys. They have, however, expanded the number of surveying firms from three to eight, indicating the potentially large scale of the issue.
“I think the fact that we have increased the surveying capacity so much indicates that we do have several to get through in the next few weeks,” Jane Cunliffe, the DfE's chief operating officer, conceded.
The Future
The list of schools where RAAC has been identified is long and growing. While the permanent secretary Acland-Hood and COO Cunliffe are committed to completing more surveys, the consuming concern now is for the safety of students and staff across England's affected educational institutions.