By Gavin Mackintosh-
Chaos and confusion have swept across schools in England as a ruling from the Department for Education (DfE) mandated the closure or partial closure of educational facilities due to potentially dangerous concrete.
The shock announcement just days before the commencement of a new school year, has left parents and children in limbo and educators grappling with urgent improvisations.
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About 50 school buildings in Essex have been fitted with dangerous concrete, with several told to delay the start of term, a council said.
Kevin Bentley, the leader at Essex County Council, said he had requested an “urgent meeting” with the secretary of state over the sudden news.
More than 100 schools in England were told on Thursday to shut before term started, with Essex thought to be the area most affected.
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The DfE’s decision to close schools built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) has sent shockwaves throughout the education system.
With little time to prepare, schools have been left scrambling to devise temporary solutions, including setting up classrooms in marquees or vacant office spaces and arranging space-sharing agreements with unaffected institutions.
While the majority of schools are expected to open as usual, tens of thousands of students will experience an academic year like no other.
As of Friday, the list of affected schools spanned from Hampshire to Cumbria, with many others anxiously awaiting confirmation on whether they, too, must undergo urgent repairs.
The timing of this unprecedented announcement has stirred anger and frustration.
Many educators, parents, and politicians have questioned why the decision was made so abruptly, particularly when the DfE inspectors were already aware of Raac in schools since the spring.
Kingsdown School in Southend-on-Sea, which caters to special educational needs (SEN) students with complex conditions such as cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, and autism, was among the institutions instructed to close their main buildings.
The abrupt notice left staff urgently contacting parents, sparking concerns about childcare arrangements and access to specialized equipment.
Lydia Hyde, a local councillor, expressed dismay at the upheaval caused to families at Kingsdown. “It’s difficult enough to get babysitting arrangements, but for children with additional needs, it’s virtually impossible,” she said.
“There is specialist and bespoke equipment, specifically designed for a child’s needs, which at present cannot be retrieved because we are not allowed into the building.”
Southend-on-Sea council revealed it had been collaborating with the school and the DfE to establish contingency plans.
Louise Robinson, the headteacher of Kingsdown School, lamented the situation, stating, “Instead of preparing to welcome our students back to class, we’re having to call parents to have very difficult conversations about the fact the school is closed next week.”
The lack of transparency regarding the 104 educational facilities impacted by the Raac issue has further fueled frustration among parents and educators. Critics argue that the problems might extend beyond these known cases.
Senior members of the Conservative Party have demanded clarity and answers in response to the crisis. Priti Patel, the former home secretary, whose constituency includes five affected schools, called for an explanation regarding the timing of the decision and the absence of prior provisions to prevent the disruption.
Political Ramifications
Another unnamed Essex MP pointed out the political ramifications of school closures, noting the strain it places on working parents and the government’s image. They emphasized the need for swift and effective action to address the crisis.
Hundreds of miles north, parents of students at Cockermouth School in Cumbria received news of a delayed start to the academic term. Four corridors, the library, and the sports hall, where England cricketer Ben Stokes once attended lessons, were deemed off-limits due to Raac concerns.
As the nation grapples with the sudden upheaval in its educational system, questions persist about the government’s handling of the Raac issue and the impact on students, parents, and educators.
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