Letters from headteachers to parents over the last few days reveal the scale of the last-minute scramble to prepare for the new academic year that starts next week.
Over 150 schools are required to either partially or completely close their premises, meaning headteachers and councils are now having to work out what to do from next week.
Here is what two headteachers have told parents in the last few days:
Crossflatts Primary School, West Yorkshire – letters sent on Monday
Headteacher Nicola Bennett wrote that the news was “unexpected”, but after a “forensic examination” of the whole school, it was determined that “half of the [school] building” contains RAAC.
They have closed “with immediate effect”:
- All downstairs offices, main reception, staffroom, toilets downstairs and the school kitchen and plant room;
- Upstairs classrooms for years 4, 5, 6, as well as their Resourced Provision base.
Ms Bennett wrote they have been “working around the clock” to formulate a plan and are prioritising keeping the school open: “I feel to weather this storm, we do it together by staying together.”
Last weekend they brought in contractors to create temporary learning spaces in safe areas of the school, and therefore all students will be accommodated on site.
But in bad news, their kitchens and fridges are unavailable, meaning all children will need a packed lunch before arrangements can be made for grab bags to be brought in.
In the long term, the council has obtained temporary classrooms that they hope to move to on site.
Ms Bennett concluded: “This is not in my wildest dreams a letter I thought I would be writing or how I wanted the start of our year to begin.
“We have a plan, which keeps everyone safe, together and in school learning. I will hugely appreciate your support and patience.”
The Appleton School, Essex – letters sent today
Secondary school headteacher Sarah Cox wrote to parents today to inform parents that multiple areas of the school contain RAAC concrete and will therefore close and there will be “unavoidable disruption”.
Pandemic-era tools are coming back, with the school set to operate a combination of on site and remote learning.
Years 7, 11, 12, and 13 will be taught on site, while years 8, 9, and 10 will have remote learning.
She wrote: “I appreciate that the timing of this decision, shortly before the start of the autumn term, is far from ideal.
“This decision has been taken out of an abundance of caution to ensure pupil safety, and we will be doing all we can ensure that the impact on students is kept to a minimum.”
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