Ofsted should avoid inspecting schools with RAAC, union says
English schools with collapse-risk concrete should be exempt from Ofsted inspections until they are “fully operational”, a headteachers’ union has said.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has called on Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan to provide greater support to schools with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) on site.
In a letter to Ms Keegan, the union’s general secretary Geoff Barton said Raac is causing “major issues” for schools.
According to the list published by the Department for Education (DfE), a total 231 schools and colleges in England were confirmed as having Raac in their infrastructure as of November 27 last year.
Ofsted said it would avoid inspecting any school or college that was on the list during the autumn term.
But this term, a school or college that has confirmed Raac on site will be eligible for an inspection. Ofsted said an affected setting can ask for an inspection to be deferred.
In his letter to Ms Keegan, Mr Barton said: “Schools affected by Raac are suffering financial detriment.
“Many are still waiting for full reimbursement from the Government of reasonable costs incurred in making their buildings safe in the short term, and ensuring educational provision is maintained as much as possible.”
“We ask that you instruct Ofsted to continue to avoid scheduling for inspection any school on the published Raac list until the school is fully operational, unless the headteacher has notified Ofsted that they are happy to undergo an inspection.
The union is also calling for students to be given special consideration for coursework and non-exam assessments, where spaces such as art studios and science labs had to be closed because of Raac.
Last month, the ASCL called on Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to introduce in his spring Budget a new recovery funding stream – which could be used for catch-up provision – for all the schools affected by Raac.
The union warned the Treasury that an “unacceptable” wait for mitigation works at Raac-affected schools meant parents were taking their children out of school and moving them to different schools.
A statement by Ofsted on Tuesday said: “This spring term, a school that has confirmed Raac in some of their buildings will be eligible for Ofsted inspection; however, this will be sufficient grounds to defer the inspection, should the school wish to.
“We know that the situation with Raac is still causing challenges for school staff, pupils and their parents and guardians.
“For schools that do not have confirmed Raac but may still be impacted by Raac – for example, where a school is hosting pupils from schools that have Raac – we will carefully consider any requests for a deferral of an inspection.
“If we have any concerns, we retain the right to inspect any setting, including those affected by Raac.”
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “The safety of staff and pupils is paramount, and we have been working at pace with schools to identify Raac and support them to minimise disruption.
“We have committed to fund the removal of Raac from our schools either through grants, or through our School Rebuilding Programme and we will inform schools as soon as possible once our assessments have concluded.”
Along with schools, last year i reported dozens of hospitals have structures at risk of collapse due to RAAC.
Seven of the 24 hospitals need full replacement and will be rebuilt through the Government’s delayed flagship “40 hospitals” project, while mitigations are being put in place for the others.
Additional reporting by agencies.