No concrete problems found in Isle of Wight schools following inspection
The Isle of Wight Council says no schools it oversees contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC)
Last updated 6th Sep 2023
Schools on the Isle of Wight have been inspected by the Department for Education (DfE), as part of its investigation into crumbling concrete — although no closures have been made.
The Isle of Wight Council says no schools it oversees contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Three schools, which are the responsibility of the diocese of Portsmouth, have already been inspected by the Department for Education (DfE) and the government body will be inspecting one more soon, as a precaution over a potential risk of RAAC.
The Diocese said its records suggest no Church of England school on the Island is at risk of RAAC, and therefore at risk of closure, but received advice from the DfE before the summer holiday.
A spokesperson for the Diocese said it was told if no internal investigation had taken place recently, a survey should be done as a precaution, so they were requested for its Island voluntary aided schools.
The Diocese said they were carried out so it could be totally confident everything had been done to keep staff and children safe.
Three of the four school surveys have already been completed, the spokesperson said, and a fourth is just about to happen.
They said: “Nothing of concern has been found so far, and the age of the buildings in the fourth school make it extremely unlikely that RAAC is present.
“The governors of our voluntary-aided schools are responsible for the school buildings. They take their responsibilities seriously and were therefore keen to take advice from the DfE on this issue to ensure the safety of all involved.”
The Diocese of Portsmouth has been asked which schools they are but no response has been received.
A secondary school near Southampton was impacted by RAAC earlier this year
Hounsdown School in Totton had to close its swimming pool complex for three weeks during February and March after the building material was identified in the roof and in its changing rooms.
In a recent statement, Headteacher Mr Veal said:
"Following the recent national press about RAAC roofing safety concerns in schools... We have already taken the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our school community."
Back in March, the following statement was published:
"We are pleased to be able to update you that the swimming pool complex is able to re-open for both student and community usage from Saturday 18th March 2023 after three weeks of disruption to lessons and closure. This is following the completion of building works in the pool changing room and plant room.
"We are letting you know because there are now some additional columns within the changing room areas for users to be aware of. These have been installed as a result of work completed in conjunction with the Department for Education who are working with many schools across the country to ensure the long-term safety of some older concrete roofing structures manufactured from a material known as Re-enforced Aerated Autoclave Concrete (RAAC) roofing.
"There have been some recent concerns in a number of public buildings about the integrity of this material and, as a result the school has sought to carry out this work as an extra precaution for the peace of mind of all users. As one of the initial schools to be working with the Department for Education on this national issue, we wanted to be clear with all of the users of this building about what we have done and why."
Across England, more than a hundred schools and other buildings are partially or fully closed, due to safety fears over RAAC.
RAAC is a lightweight form of concrete and was used in the construction of schools, colleges and other buildings between 1950s until the mid-1990s.
The DfE has advised schools to stop using the buildings unless there are measures have already been taken to make them safe.