A primary school in Bolton has has to delay its reopening for the new academic term for the second time amid concerns about a potentially dangerous kind of concrete.

Concerns about RAAC, a form of concrete that has the potential to collapse, have been widespread across the country this week after several school buildings were identified as containing the material.

In a letter to parents signed by headteacher Clare Doodson, St Bernard's RC Primary School in Ladybridge has now announced it cannot open this week at all.

The school should have opened today.

Instead children will be taught remotely until the school reopens.

The school had delayed its opening to Thursday, but that will not go ahead.

The letter said: “We had an inspection visit today from the Salford Diocese Building Surveyor and the Structural Engineer to inspect the safety work carried out so far and additional work needed due to updated RAAC guidance from the DfE.

“There is additional scaffolding work to be done throughout school so we will not be able to open as hoped on Thursday September 7.

“We will be able to open on Monday September 11 as long as the DfE have agreed all safety measures.

“All classrooms will be open, the only area we will not be able to use and open is the school hall as specialised scaffolding work needs to be constructed in there and this will need additional time.

“We have made provision for school meals to be packed lunches initially and the children will eat them in their classrooms with children who have packed lunches from home.

“We anticipate this additional work to the hall should take 1-2 weeks, so we will be able to return to the hall this half term.”

This marks the second time that the school has had to delay its opening because of concerns about RAAC.

In a letter published over last weekend, again signed by Mrs Doodson, the school said that hoped to open on Thursday September 7 but would if necessary delay this until Monday September 11 as has now been the case.

RAAC is a cheaper alternative to normal concrete that was often used in buildings from the 1950s to the 1990s.

But with a lifespan of around 30 years, it is considered less durable and came to the attention of national authorities after the roof collapsed at a primary school in Gravesend, Kent in 2018.

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Key points set out by St Bernard’s letter to parents confirmed that all safety work would be completed and agreed by the Department for Educations and that the full open would be set for Monday September 11 with a full start time for new reception children.

It said that scaffolding would be in place in affected areas and that Bolton Council and the Salford Diocese have been in contact and have been “fully supportive.”

Teachers have already contacted their classes and directed them to online learning.

The letter said: “We fully appreciate the disappointment for the children and parents that we are not returning this week, but your child’s safety is our highest priority.”