Non-story RAAC problem

[HowMuchMore2]

There are approx 22,000 schools in England and the schools that have had to close are around 100. In 2018 it was highlighted it could be a problem - nothing was done about it.

Why is it such a big story all of a sudden? 100 schools will have to ship in portakabins because part or all of their buildings are deemed unsafe.

Everyone is up in arms about it, it's such a non-story! Worked up by journalists at a slow news time.

There are way way bigger issues out there.

I can't guarantee this but I believe some local authorities have been far more pro active about getting the surveys done to check for issues. Now this has come to the public notice I suspect that various other areas will now be checking a lot more carefully and more schools will be discovered to have issues

I think you are right Baroness. From what I have heard (not in any official capacity) in our area so far schools have just been asked to complete a questionnaire. There has been no requirement to have any sort of physical inspection/survey at any time. Since the the concrete was put there decades ago and will often be hidden behind other materials, I suspect that the replies from most schools will be along the lines of 'not that we are aware of'- which is a long way from knowing there's none there.

I think it's barely started yet. Apart from schools, I heard someone on Times Radio yesterday morning say that there are hospitals where obese people can only be treated on the ground floor because of concern about the buildings' ability to bear the weight. There was a picture of the support posts in a hospital in King's Lynn (?).

@sockarefootwear

Coventry council did a media press release saying no schools “that they are aware of” have RAAC. Quite insulting really. Not being aware doesn’t mean it’s not there. They worded it in a way that was supposed to be reassuring but was anything but.

OP this issue is ON TOP of the many maintenance issues that exist in schools.

The majority of education buildings are not up to purpose but are being used.

This is a huge issue. The quality of the environment in education is linked to the quality of the outcomes for young people.

Better educational outcomes benefit society, reduce poverty and all the other "more pressing issues you mention".

It's a massive deal. Especially because of the lack of funding and the fact the Tories pulled the building schools for the future programme THE DAY they came into power.

The education of our young is so important for society. This will disrupt that. Schools don't have the money for portacabins or these repairs. Having experience in this area, I doubt there is enough temporary accommodation that can be sourced let alone afforded.

My child's school is closed until further notice. No online learning available. Not a portacabin in sight and no idea when the situation will change.

And this is GCSE year. Following several years of interrupted education due to covid. What chance do these kids have in getting good grades when they sit exams next year if this goes on for months. The rumour mill
Is saying school will be closed until January at the earliest. How many more schools will be affected before then? Who knows?

So this is so far from a non-story, I don't even know where to begin!

It's an absolute disgrace!

Just to update... school still closed... still no online learning. DfE nowhere to be seen. No portacabins. We've just been left. Our children are being so so badly let down.

Sadly OP is right. It is a non story because no one is interested.

It feels like we're in lockdown but no one else is. It's dreadful. How are other schools getting on?

Bloody hell, that's ridiculous! Totally unacceptable. Have you contacted your MP? In fact, how about contacting the press? Schools like yours risk being forgotten about once the media circus has moved on.

I've written to MP and council. I've been in touch with BBC... got as far as recording an interview for radio 4 that didn't air. Was promised a call from local radio station today. No one called.

No one cares!

It's vaguely been in local press. Can't seem to get anyone interested.

Politicians busy pointing the finger at each other for blame. At this point I really don't care who's to blame. I just want someone to sort it!

We're not the only school affected. Why is this not national news every day? Why is the story being shiver under the carpet? There at 3000 children in my town across 2 secondary schools who are being disgracefully melt down. And not a word in the press!

Why is this story being kept quiet?

Sorry for typos - I'm just so angry about the whole thing!!

Contact the Mirror or the Guardian, as they're the papers that broke the story in the first place.

I'm really sorry your DC's schooling has been so badly interrupted. I'd be tearing my hair out too. Our DC's school was also one of the ones affected but the LA did the survey in June and so the bulk of the work was done in the summer holidays.

Just want to give an update and let the OP know that RAAC issues are still ongoing. Y9 student ls in our school are going into school today for the first time this a academic year.

Y8 have had 5 days. Y10 have had 50% of time in school. Y7 had 100% up u til half term and now are at home until last week of school.

Y11 have missed at least 25% of time in school and have no access to any facilities. And no access expected until end of summer term 2924. Which doesn't help GCSE students for this year or next year.

And the examination boards aren't interested in giving any of these children any leniency in marking their exams.

Sadly the press and OP seems to think it's a non-story but believe me it's VERY much a story for those affected. The silence from any help for these children is deafening.

DfE, Ofsted and government should hang their heads in shame at how badly these children are being let down.

This is worse than lockdown as everyone not affected carries in as normal and people like OP couldn't care less.

Sorry for the million typos!

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn It's an ongoing issue here too - my Year 8 will be missing 2 weeks at least and is unlikely to get back to a 5 day week until 2024. The online provision is woeful. Where are the contingency plans. I am livid. The government is failing young people all over again yet the media are only interested in political in-fighting.

@JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn and @resipsa keep making some
noise.

Theres so much going on at the moment but your situations deserve sharp elbows and loud voices

I've contacted the MP and local councillors x 3. Even threw in that the council is in breach of its statutory duty. No reply as yet...

How are all your children getting on in schools impacted by RAAC? My DDs school is still 70% closed. Portacabins arrived just before Christmas and that's where most of the teaching takes place. Good that they are all in school but they have no access to any resources. Those sitting GCSE and A-Levels are woefully behind in coursework.

The Government seems to think this is ok. Please can you sign this petition to get the conversation started.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/petitions_noticeboard/5022985-5022985-help-raac-impacted-students-get-the-exam-grades-they-deserve?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=share