Breaking News Schools ordered to close immediately over safey risk

Breaking News: Schools ordered to close immediately over safey risk.

More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges in England have been ordered to close classrooms and buildings that contain a type of concrete that is prone to collapse, with some forced to shut completely.

With just days before pupils return from summer holidays, schools across the England have been told to immediately shut buildings with aerated concrete.

The Immediate closure notice could mean 1000’s of children could be attending school via remote learning with wider impacts on families around care provision during the school day.

Some schools have been told they will need to close entirely, needing to either fully or partially relocate to alternative accommodation while safety measures are installed.

RAAC is a lightweight building material used in schools, colleges and other building construction in the 1950s. The material has since been assessed to be at risk of collapse.

A statement issued by the Department for Education has said “Following careful analysis of new cases, the department is taking the precautionary and proactive step to change its approach to RAAC in education settings, including schools”

“This decision has been made with an abundance of caution and to prioritise safety of children, pupils, and staff ahead of the start of the new term.”

Guidance issued by the Department for Education advised that "any space or area” with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) “should no longer be open without mitigations in place".

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said a “cautious approach” is needed in response to concerns over school buildings that still contain aerated concrete.

Keegan said: “The plan we have set out will minimise the impact on pupil learning and provide schools with the right funding and support they need to put mitigations in place to deal with RAAC”.

Its currently not known if any Penrith Schools or those in the local area are impacted by today’s announcement and the need to take immediate action.

As well as schools other public building from hospitals, police stations, courts and council buildings have all been identified as having RAAC and needs for action.

We will bring you updates on this developing story as its released.