Seven schools in the Richmond borough have been titled RAAC-free by the council’s property team in the latest meeting with the Education and Children’s Services committee.
With the start of the new school year approaching, Richmond councillors eagerly awaited Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) survey results to confirm five high-priority schools were safe for children.
Buckingham Primary, Chase Bridge Primary, Lowther Primary, Carlisle Infant and Hampton Wick Infant were found to have no RAAC and children have now returned to school as planned.
Director of children’s services Ian Dodds said: “Surveys were completed two weeks before children went back to school in September and, positively, 95% of schools have not been identified to contain any RAAC.
“So I think we’re in a pretty strong position at the moment just waiting on results from a small number of schools that we should have in the next couple of weeks.”
If surveys from pending schools come back with RAAC present, there are schools within the borough with additional space so children can be moved temporarily.
Dodds said: “We have a successful model for moving those pupils safely into other schools with minimal disruption.”
Medium priority schools whose survey results are pending are Meadlands Primary, Sheen Mount Primary, Heathfield Infant and Heathfield Junior School.
Results of the surveys are thought to have been given to the council on September 18 however the information is yet to be made public.
Speaking at a meeting of the Education and Childrens services committee, Mr Dodds said: “Despite a low submission rate across the country, Richmond council were prompt in completing the questionnaire given to local authorities by the DFE in March 2022 and was continually updated every time new information was given.”
Since the collapse of a primary school ceiling in Kent 2018, concern over the structural safety of schools all over the UK has been expressed by the Department for Education (DFE).
Dodds thanked Richmond councils’ property team for a safe and efficient surveying process within the borough.
Councillor Julia Cambridge also present at the meeting said: “I want to thank you for all the work you and your team have been doing because this has been a national emergency hasn’t it, so I think the response and the fact you got your surveys in should be commended so thank you very much.”
