The closure of certain school buildings due to collapsing risks from reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is not a return to pandemic-style lockdowns, according to the education secretary. The Department for Education (DfE) has instructed 104 schools and colleges to keep their buildings either fully or partially closed next week because RAAC was found in their structures, following the recent collapse of a RAAC beam. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan explained in an article for The Sun on Sunday that the closures were necessary after a few cases where RAAC had failed, but assured parents that this was not a return to the “dark days of school lockdowns.”
Guidance from the Institute for Structural Engineers (IStructE) only requires the closure of a building with RAAC if it poses critical risks. Despite the absence of critical risks, the DfE reached out to 104 schools on Thursday and ordered them to close their buildings with RAAC. An additional 52 schools had already taken precautions earlier this year. Keegan defended the decision, stating that responsible government involves making difficult decisions based on evidence, even if the trade-offs are significant. She acknowledged parents’ anxieties after the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and reassured them that this closure did not signify a return to extended home learning.
For the 52 schools that had already implemented mitigation measures, Keegan stated that home learning was only required for a few days, not weeks. She emphasized that the vast majority of schools in England, numbering 22,500, are unaffected. A minority of schools may need to temporarily relocate students or resort to remote learning as a last resort. The government is supporting these schools by assigning case workers and providing funding for immediate measures such as temporary classrooms to ensure face-to-face education continues.
The DfE’s guidance advised using nearby schools, community centers, or empty local office buildings for the first few weeks while structural reinforcements are installed to mitigate collapse risks. Moving to remote education should be considered as a last resort and for a short duration. The DfE expressed gratitude to school and college leaders for their efforts in minimizing disruptions and assured that remote learning, if necessary, would only last for a few days.
Regarding the request by the Labour party to disclose the list of affected schools, Keegan stated that the government would release the information after parents have been informed and schools have had time to respond. Labour’s shadow education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, emphasized the need for transparency and honesty from the government regarding the RAAC issue in schools. Scottish Education Minister Jenny Gilruth confirmed that 35 out of Scotland’s 2,500 schools have RAAC but stated that there are no plans to close them all. Local authorities are implementing mitigations, including classroom closures, to ensure the safety of students.