RAAC London schools: Full list with dangerous concrete closing buildings

The government has finally published an official list of schools in England which it says are impacted by concrete which is “prone to collapse”.

The document, released by the Department for Education, reveals that 147 schools in England are confirmed to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

The government said it would publish an updated list of further confirmed cases in the next two weeks.

Affected schools have been told they may have switch to online learning or teach pupils in nearby public buildings for the time being.

At least 18 London schools are on the list, with St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in Harrow starting the term remotely.

The list also shows 19 schools where the start of term has had to be delayed as a result of RAAC.

Amongst them are two London schools including Hornsey School for Girls in Haringey, and St Francis’ Catholic Primary School in Newham.

Which London schools are affected by RAAC?

The following London schools have been listed on the government website as being affected by RAAC.

The BBC is also reporting two further unidentified schools in the borough of Tower Hamlets and St Mary Magdalene and St Stephen’s CE Primary School in Westminster where RAAC has been found in their buildings.

What is RAAC, and why has the announcement been made now?

A form of lightweight concrete, RAAC was used in schools, colleges and other building construction from the 1950s until the mid-1990s. However, it is different from traditional concrete and is instead much weaker, making buildings in which it has been used less durable.

The government has been working with schools and other bodies to manage the risks of RAAC since 2018. In 2022, the DfE sent a questionnaire to all relevant bodies asking for information on the use of RAAC across local schools.

A series of recent cases mean the department has now changed its assessment of the risk posed by RAAC, which is why it has now requested some schools close buildings.

Dr Patrick Roach, NASUWT general secretary previously said: “Pupils returning to schools next week should be brimming with optimism not uncertainty about their futures. Children and young people should not be facing the prospect of having their education disrupted as a result of lack of investment and foresight from the government.

“It is a disgrace that, despite ministers’ promises to the contrary, there are any schools in such poor condition and state of repair and in danger of collapse.”

In a written statement following the publication of the full list on Wednesday, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, said: “I know this is the last way parents, teachers and children affected by this wanted to begin the new term, but it will always be my priority to ensure the safety of pupils and staff.

“Thanks to the hard work of schools, colleges, councils, diocese and academy trusts, the majority of settings where RAAC has been confirmed have opened to all pupils for the start of term.

“We will continue to support all impacted settings in whatever way we can, whether that’s through our team of dedicated caseworkers or through capital funding to put mitigations in place.

“We are also expediting surveys and urging all responsible bodies to tell us what they know about RAAC, so we can be confident that settings are safe and supported.”

Other buildings in the capital have also been found to contain RAAC, including Harrow Crown Court, which closed last week, and the National Theatre.