As a former teacher, and a former minister in the Department for Education, education is very important to me. I was particularly concerned to hear, at the end of the summer, that two schools in the Epping Forest part of my constituency – Chipping Ongar Primary and Lambourne Primary – were going to have to close some of their buildings because they contained RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) which might not be safe.
I am pleased to say that, thanks to the hard work of the schools, they are still open and teaching children and that the Department for Education is taking steps to ensure that the buildings are secured and that normal service can resume. I have offered my support to the schools and will be working with ministers in Westminster to try and make sure that this is resolved as quickly as possible.
As is now widely known, RAAC was frequently used to construct buildings between the 1950s and the 1990s and is now reaching the end of its lifespan. As it does it can be made safe by putting in additional supports – as has been happening in many sites for a number of years.
On 11 September, I had a meeting with Nick Gibb, the long-standing minister for schools, who has overseen big improvements in reading, writing and numeracy, and talked to him about fixing RAAC in my constituency as well as a number of issues that are affecting all schools in our area. A few days before, the Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, had visited Anglo European School in Ingatestone to meet the headteacher, Jody Gee, who, earlier in the year, had to take steps to sort out RAAC in her sixth form. Over the past six months, I have worked very closely with the school, Essex County Council and the DfE to bring in temporary classrooms, builders and funding to keep all students in school for face-to-face learning – and the Education Secretary was very impressed by what she saw.
I will continue to keep in touch with the affected schools and to advocate on their behalf to ensure all our children are in school.
Latest Update from Department for Education:
Lambourne Primary School - All the areas within the school are now open and hot lunches are being provided.
Chipping Ongar Primary School - Face-to-face learning is in place for all pupils on-site. RAAC has been confirmed within one of the school buildings resulting in the following areas being out of use: three classrooms, one toilet and the KS1 ancillary space. The school has reallocated alternative spaces for short term use. The Department is in the process of procuring temporary accommodation in order to provide a double classroom, a single classroom and one toilet. DfE’s technical advisors have advised that these works should be completed mid-late October.
