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RAAC identified at Westlands School in Sittingbourne by Department for Education

12:57, 19 September 2023

updated: 16:11, 19 September 2023

Crumbling concrete has been discovered at another secondary school.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has been identified at Westlands School in Westlands Avenue, Sittingbourne.

Westlands School in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps
Westlands School in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps

The Department for Education released the information on a spreadsheet published on the government website today.

The data confirmed all pupils are still in face-to-face education.

A spokesman for Swale Academies Trust said: “We believe that the safety of our students, staff and visitors across all our school sites is paramount and always a priority.

“Swale Academies Trust commissioned qualified structural surveyors to undertake thorough RAAC checks at Westlands School.

“Internal RAAC was identified as being present in the ceiling of three connected Design and Technology workshops, and so mitigating solutions were put in place.

Westlands School in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps
Westlands School in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps

“The workshops have been vacated as a precautionary measure and there is currently no access to students, staff or visitors.

“Risk assessments throughout Westlands School have been undertaken and the Estates team at Swale Academies Trust is in ongoing communication with the Department for Education in regards to the situation.

“There is no concern regarding the inside of any other building or classroom in the school as no RAAC is present anywhere else on the school estate.”

Westlands School opened as planned for term one of the 2023/2024 academic year on Monday, September 4.

The spokesman confirmed students are still engaging in learning as expected, with minimal disruptions to their curriculum.

Westlands School in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps
Westlands School in Sittingbourne. Picture: Google Maps

Safety issues also emerged after the weakened concrete was discovered at a Medway secondary school.

Holcombe Grammar School in Chatham also confirmed the presence of RAAC.

Elsewhere in the county Palmarsh Primary, Hythe, St James Church of England Primary, Tunbridge Wells, Godinton Primary, Ashford, St Bartholomew’s Catholic Primary School, Swanley, Birchington Church of England Primary, Thanet and King Ethelbert Secondary School, Thanet have been affected.

The Department for Education has now revealed a total of 174 schools in England are confirmed to have buildings made with RAAC.

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