Government has ordered more than 100 schools, colleges, and nurseries across England to immediately close their buildings over health and safety concerns.
This means thousands of pupils who are just days away from the start of the new school year are set to face disruption.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan revealed that the decision was made after “new evidence” was discovered about a material used in the construction of these buildings.
”The Government has decided to close more than 100 education buildings that have been built using concrete prone to collapse, the material is known as reinforced with autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
Schools with this material have been told they have to introduce new safety measures to make sure students are safe.
The decision was made after a National Audit Office study in June revealed that the risk of injury or death from a school building collapse was “very likely and critical” in buildings that contained RAAC.
The National Audit Office found that 572 schools were likely to contain RAAC. Of these, 156 were confirmed to have it.
However, 52 schools had already put safety mitigations in place, so only 104 buildings have received the order.
