RAAC affected Hadleigh High School re-opening latest

By Derek Davis

4th Sep 2023 | Local News

Hadleigh High School (Picture: Nub News)
Hadleigh High School (Picture: Nub News)

The Trust boss in charge of Hadleigh High School have

Hadleigh High was one of three schools run by Penrose Learning Trust (PLT) revealed as being among the 104 affected by an issue with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which could lead to ceilings in building collapsing.

Parents of pupils were emailed a letter on Sunday outline how the school was not permitted to use 16 classrooms in its maths, science and design technology block and were searching for 14 temporary classrooms.

The plan is for Year seven students to return to school on Thursday, followed by Years seven and 11 on Friday, and the Years eight, nine and 10, on Monday 11 September on a rotation basis.

Sarah Skinner CEO Penrose Learning Trust (Picture: BBC Breakfast)

Sarah Skinner, the chief executive officer for Penrose, who is responsible for Hadleigh High today told the BBC a survey carried out i July and schools were deemed safe, however something had happened

"We're now kind of scrabbling to re-room, find temporary accommodation and manage the logistics at three of our high schools," she said.

 Neighbouring East Bergholt High School and Claydon High School near Ipswich were named as the other two within the Trust that would need to consider delaying reopening or partially closing until the issue has been resolved. 

RAAC is a lightweight material used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s. It has a lifespan of about 30 years and its structural behaviour differs significantly from traditional reinforced concrete.

However, it is susceptible to structural failure when exposed to moisture. The bubbles can allow water to enter the material and can also decay, rust and weaken.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said £15bn had gone into capital spending for schools since 2015.

She confirmed temporary mitigation measures in schools would be funded by the DfE, but other things like transport of students to new locations would be considered on a case-by-case basis.

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: "We have been actively seeking further details from the DfE. 

"The key is to get a clearer picture of the impact on any schools affected ahead of the start of the new academic year, so that mitigations can be put in place urgently if all or parts of buildings cannot be used." 

The county council has not yet revealed a full list of all the schools affected.

     

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