Six months on unions urge more to fix RAAC schools in Newcastle and Sandbach
The union are calling for more funds from the government
The National Education Union across our region is calling for the government to allocate more money to repair schools affected by RAAC.
This comes as today marks six months since the first schools were identified to have been built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
A total of 234 schools and colleges across England have since been identified.
Senior Regional Officer for the NEU in Cheshire's region, Nadeem Siddiqui hopes with the spring budget around the corner the government find funding to speed up the repairs: "This is the Government's opportunity to demonstrate categorically that they are going to put the money in to address not only the RAAC crisis adequately, and it needs to be new money that also addresses all the issues that are caused through a lack of investment in education.
"You need a fundamental, whole-scale, rebuilding programe with the money that is put in to get on with that as fast as possible. That is what is required.
"Sadly because that isn't what has happened we have the situation that we have in the first place in terms of the standard of school buildings, but then on top of that we have the RAAC crisis."
Nadeem added: "The reality is when this problem was identified the chancellor of the exchequer actually promised to spend whatever it takes to sort the problem.
"And yet a short time after we had the autumn statement where there was no new money that was promised and no new money that was put in."
Here is a full list of schools across Staffordshire and Cheshire where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been identified, as of 8th February 2024.
The Government has pledged help so listed will be the type of school is specified (primary, secondary etc) as well as the action that is to be taken: a grant for removing the concrete; one or more blocks to be rebuilt or refurbished as part of the School Rebuilding Programme; or another course of action that does not require additional support or funding.
- Sir Thomas Boughey Academy, Grant
- Sandbach School, School Rebuilding Programme
- The Macclesfield Academy, Grant
- Ellesmere Port Catholic High School, a Voluntary Academy School Rebuilding Programme
In a statement the government said: "The Department’s RAAC Identification programme is now complete as 100% of schools and colleges with blocks built in the target era have responded to the questionnaire.
"All schools or colleges that advised us they suspect they might have RAAC have had a survey to confirm if RAAC is present.
"A small number of schools and colleges are carrying out additional checks for further assurance in some spaces. The Department is working with responsible bodies to support them to complete these additional checks as quickly as possible.
"We are committed to removing RAAC within schools in a timely manner and are working with responsible bodies to work as quickly as possible.
"Each case is different and will require different levels of work however in some cases work is already underway and will be completed in coming months."