LARGE teaching blocks at a Benfleet school have been shut over crumble-risk concrete fears – as some pupils will be forced to learn from home.
The Appleton School, in Croft Road, Benfleet, has confirmed that the Tower, North and South block areas at the school have to be closed due to the discovery of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete.
RAAC is a lightweight concrete, but is unlike traditional concrete, as the way it is made, means it is much weaker. It is widely used as a building material from the 1950s to the mid-1990s.
Before the summer, advice given to schools was to monitor the situation and act on the surveys the schools had completed.
However, government policy has since changed and all schools with confirmed RAAC are to vacate these spaces with immediate effect.
As a result of having to shut a number of blocks at the school, there is a reduced capacity, meaning some year groups will be learning remotely.
In a letter sent to parents – seen by the Echo – pupils at Appleton School will be studying as follows:
Year 7 and Year 12 Induction will continue to take place on site as originally planned on Tuesday, September 5.
From Wednesday 6 and Friday 7, Years 7, 11, 12 and 13 will be on site.
Years 8, 9, and 10 will be remote learning.
The letter, by Sarah Cox, headteacher at Appleton School, reads:
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel