Log In
Register
Department for Education surveyors have discovered that a large number of local authority buildings in the United Kingdom, mainly schools and other educational establishments, were built using RAAC.
They are now facing closure due to safety concerns over crumbling concrete. This has resulted in the cancellation of school building projects with many schools forced to close and revert to COVID-19 measures such as home schooling and remote learning. It has also delayed the start of term for many schools because of the concrete crisis.
What is RAAC?
RAAC is reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete. It was viewed as a wonder material and used for many buildings in the UK and other countries between the 1950s and 1990s.
How is RAAC Made?
RAAC is made by heating concrete made of cement, lime and sand to 200°C before adding aluminium flakes to form bubbles of hydrogen. The resulting material is much cheaper and lighter than ordinary cement but unfortunately it is not sufficiently dense — it produces sub-standard concrete!
The Government’s Response and the Effect on Pupils
Critics have slammed the slow response of the Tory government, who many have accused of total complacency. Sir Keir Starmer accused the Tories of contributing to the problem by axing the Building Schools for the Future project (BSF), which was a £55bn Labour project to renew every secondary school in England. It was axed by the coalition government in 2013.
Some schools are using a mix of face-to-face and remote learning methods while other schools are going fully remote. Many students have already been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, which had a significant impact on their education.
The RAAC debacle has caused extra stress to many young people who may now be facing more cancelled exams and learning losses caused by school closures.
School Issues Resources
Bullying — A Complete Approach
Contains hints and tips for teachers, parents and young people to enable them to identify and tackle bullying.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 1999
- Last revised: 2022
- Pages: 94
School Issues Lesson Plans
Bullying and Cyberbullying
This lesson plan covers how to deal with bullying and cyberbullying and contains handouts for the classroom.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2019
- Last revised: 2021
- Pages: 15
Bullying
This covers bullying, the types of bullying, the bully, the target and how to tackle bullying.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2019
- Last revised: 2021
- Pages: 13
Exam Stress
This lesson plan provides information and advice on dealing with exam stress.
- Age range: 12
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 17
Introduction to Loneliness
An introduction to loneliness and the way it affects our physical and mental health.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 15
Playground Bullying
A lesson plan on playground bullying, the issues caused and addressing the topic.
- Age range: 12 years and upwards
- Category: Schools
- Published: 2022
- Pages: 17
Free PSHE Resources
Anti-Bullying Policy For Schools
A free template to help you develop your own anti-bullying policy for your school.
- Category: Schools
- Pages: 8
Free Download
Targets of Bullying
This free download covers what a bully is and the targets of bullying. See our resource pack 'Bullying — A Complete Approach' for a more comprehensive discussion on bullying, including worksheets, activities and lessons.
- Category: Schools
- Pages: 6
Free Download