Two Darlington schools affected by RAAC concrete issues

Schools across the country have been forced to close or tape off sections of buildings days before the new term starts after aerated concrete was identified.

Parents were informed of the emergency measures taken by the schools and colleges, which have had to partially or fully close buildings because of the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac), which could suddenly collapse.

St Teresa's Primary School and Carmel College are among those affected and Darlington Borough Council have issued the following statement:

The Department for Education (DfE) announced on Thursday that all school buildings identified as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) must now consider closure. This action was previously only taken in the most severe cases. A list of the affected schools has not been published by the DfE.

Prior to this announcement the council has been engaging with the DfE on schools in Darlington and in particular our maintained schools. None of the council’s maintained schools have been identified for closure as a result of this new guidance.

However, we have today been made aware that St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School and Carmel College, both members of the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, are among those affected.

St Teresa’s has contacted parents to advise that the Trust has taken the difficult decision to close the primary school for the safety of the children, initially until Monday 11 September. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Carmel College has also advised its parents that the kitchen and library at the college will be temporarily vacated until further investigations have taken place. The college will remain open but there will be some disruption to classrooms and only a limited break and lunch menu. Pupils from Year 7-11 are also asked to take a packed lunch for the first week. Food will be available for any pupils in receipt of free school meals.

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said:

"We appreciate this is a worrying time for parents and we are working hard to minimise any disruption to our children’s education as a result of these new measures.

“We will be working closely with all our local schools, both council maintained and any affected academy trust, and others to offer support and advice and looking at all options available to help schools resolve this issue as soon as possible.”

Parents with children at St Teresa’s and Carmel College will be notified as and when there are any updates, or should contact the school if they have any questions.

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