Sale Grammar School issues statement over RAAC concrete crisis

Dangerous crumbling concrete which the government says could require immediate building closures has been confirmed at a Sale school. 

Sale Grammar School

It has been confirmed that reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is present at Sale Grammar.

More than a hundred schools across England have been told by the government that they need to shut facilities or put urgent safety measures in place because of the presence of RAAC.

Sale Grammar School pupils are due to return for the start of the autumn term on Wednesday 06 September.

In a statement to the M.E.N., the school said: "Sale Grammar School can confirm that planned building work started in July to replace the roof in the area of the school building which had reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

"As this was planned works, mitigations were already in place to make sure that the school can continue to safely remain open and that we can continue to offer our full curriculum during this period of planned works.

"We continue to prioritise the health and safety of all our school community and look forward to welcoming everyone back from their summer break, this week."

The government says this specific type of concrete has now been classed as an immediate safety risk as it has the potential to suddenly collapse, and schools have been instructed they must take instant action if it is identified.

This could mean closing off buildings while mitigation measures are put in place, moving students to different sites or potentially a temporary return to remote learning.

A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: “We can confirm that two schools in the borough, Sale Grammar and Altrincham College, have been impacted by the government guidance on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

“We would like to reassure parents, carers, pupils and school staff that both schools will open as usual next week. Mitigating measures are in place and the schools are safe.

“The safety of pupils and staff remain the priority of the schools and the council.”

A total of 156 schools in England have been confirmed to contain RAAC, the Department of Education has said. Of these, 52 have already put mitigations in place.

Now 104 schools have been instructed to immediately restrict access to spaces where RAAC has been confirmed.

The list of affected schools has now been confirmed by the government.

The building material was widely used between the 1950s and the mid-1990s and has a lifespan of around 30 years.