Cockermouth School to delay opening over concrete fears
A school in west Cumbria is one of 104 that will delay reopening in England over concrete safety fears.
Cockermouth School is one that has used reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
The school will reopen to students on Wednesday. Students were due to return a day earlier.
A Cumberland Council spokesperson said: “We are aware of one school which has been identified as having some elements of its structure made by RAAC.
"Cumberland Council are working with the school and the Department for Education to provide support where necessary. The school are in contact with parents directly.”
Cockermouth School says that no classrooms are impacted by RAAC and that the affected areas are in corridors.
In a statement to parents, Cockermouth School said: "Through recent survey work on the school site we are aware that there is a small amount of RAAC concrete in four specific areas of our school.
"We have been working with the Department for Education to ensure that a comprehensive inspection programme is in place so that risk is effectively managed.
"We have been informed by the Department for Education that as an additional precautionary measure to safeguard all users of these small areas, schools are to ensure that the areas of the school site affected are not used until further investigation and any mitigations required are complete."
Richard King, Cockermouth School headteacher, said “We are making precautionary adjustments in line with the newly-announced national measures so that all students and staff continue to have confidence in the safety of our school.
"We have plans in place to open our school to all students on the 6 September; taking an extra day to ensure all staff are well-informed and prepared accordingly.
"Thankfully, only small amounts of RAAC are present and we will be able to operate our school with some practical adjustments in place.”
Mark Jenkinson MP said: “We have known about the issues with Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete for some time, and the Department for Education have been working with Cockermouth School to identify and manage risk.
"Changes to the national risk profile in recent days has meant changes to that management very close to the start of the new school term, though it is encouraging to see how swiftly the department, ministers and school leaders have responded to those changes.
“Despite the unfortunate late notice, ministers have worked incredibly quickly, liaising with affected schools, assigning caseworkers and project managers where necessary, and providing funding to manage risks.
“I have been working with Cockermouth School for some time to secure their place in the school rebuild programme which has recently been confirmed – and to ensure that the school is prioritised within the first tranche of Government funding.
“I have every confidence that the school has got this matter in hand and have worked quickly and effectively to keep disruption to staff and students to a minimum. I will continue to work with the school to that end, but if anyone has any questions, please feel free to contact me.”
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