Forres community centre could still host full exams following RAAC

Progress is being made in addressing structural issues at Forres Academy

Phase three involves the recovery and re-purposing of the classrooms.
Author: John RosePublished 31st Jan 2024

Moray Council has given a fresh update on the situation at Forres Academy following the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concreate (RAAC) in July.

The phased plan of work after advice from structural engineers has been continuous then, with phase one and two now complete.

Phase three of the work addresses the recovery and re-purposing of classrooms and remains on track. Drama classrooms on the ground floor are now fully back in use, plus technical workshops and five science labs on the first floor have now been successfully restored, allowing practical science classes to be delivered within the school again.

Home economics is the only practical class still being taught off-site but it’s anticipated that work on the new classroom should be completed by the end of April 2024. This should allow practical Home Economics to be delivered at Forres Academy again.

The monitoring and review learning for all pupils is on-going, with consideration made for any solutions or support to mitigate any lost time.

The majority of prelims are currently taking place at Forres House Community Centre and talks are ongoing as to whether this will also be the case for exams in May.

Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Communities and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “I would like to thank every single person who is working within the school to help get it back and operating as closely to original levels.

"The progress made to recover so much of the schools teaching space and minimise disruption is fantastic.

"The entire staff and pupil’s response during this unsettling period is nothing short of outstanding and I commend everyone at Forres Academy for their continued resilience.”

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