School leaders have called for all schools impacted by the dangerous concrete scandal to be exempt from Ofsted inspections until they are ‘fully operational’.
The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) has written to Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan requesting better support for schools impacted by RAAC (Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete).
As well as an exemption from inspections, the ASCL said ‘special consideration’ for coursework and non-exam assessment should be given to pupils who have missed out on classroom time.
ASCL General Secretary Geoff Barton said: ‘The unacceptable length of time it has taken the Government to act on a risk of this seriousness has led directly to the extremely difficult position in which many school leaders now find themselves.’
A Department for Education spokesperson said: ‘The safety of staff and pupils is paramount, and we have been working at pace with schools to identify RAAC and support them to minimise disruption.
‘We have committed to fund the removal of RAAC from our schools either through grants, or through our School Rebuilding Programme and we will inform schools as soon as possible once our assessments have concluded.’
Check out: RAAC: what housing associations need to know about the concrete crisis.
