Suffolk school trust hit by RAAC issues says students falling behind
Penrose Learning Trust say they're focusing on year 11 students to help with exams
Last updated 30th Nov 2023
Penrose Learning Trust says students in year 10 in Suffolk are falling behind due to the problems RAAC has brought
Raac is a type of concrete that has been compared to aero chocolate, the air bubbles inside mean there is a higher risk of collapse, and has affected Schools like Bergholt, Hadley and Claydon.
Primarily affecting their science buildings meaning they are unable to use these classrooms and complete practical exams.
Because of this they have had to find alternative locations for practical lessons and exams.
The CEO of the Penrose Learning Trust Sarah Skinner told us Hadley High School and Bergholt High School have no DT rooms but that they have had offers from Northgate High School, Abbeygate and Thurston to use their spaces for the students.
Sarah told us they really appreciate these kind offers but that there are still many problems they are having to figure out, such as transporting the children, "borrowing technician time, chemicals, all those sorts of things that make up a science lesson" planning lunches and safety procedures, sign offs and risk assessments.
"It's a huge amount of work for staff to take children off and bearing in mind each group has got to do 10 practicals and we have 6 science groups in each school."
How this affects the pupils
Sarah told us every pupil is still being taught but due to a lack of resources, some students haven't been able to use the science labs.
She mentioned how the Year 8's "would be doing DT work akin to GCSE, to give them a sense of what's coming." but they're "missing out on that."
They start their GCSE Science in 9 because it's a content-heavy curriculum.
She revealed Students in "Year 10 are now really dramatically falling behind because (they're) having to prioritize your 11 at the moment."
But she is confident they will "catch them up."
"We just don't want home learning. We want all the children in school safe and and in front of us.
"We're having to make do really but it's not how we deliver our curriculum and it's very difficult."
What support are they getting?
Sarah explained they have a weekly meeting with the DFA talking about "the capital works, the repairs, the removal of asbestos," ect.
And all the repairs are being funded.
When will things be normal?
Sarah explained there is still a lot of work to be done to make the buildings safe again, and because of this she "can't see (them) being back in (these buildings in) this academic year, but possibly at the end of Summer."
But they are working on the basis they will be back to normal in September 2024