Bolton's RAAC schools to be rid of concrete at risk of collapse

The Department for Education (DfE) revealed how it intends to remove Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) from all schools across the country – including six of them in Bolton.

The department said 234 schools across the country are affected by the announcement today (February 8) of which around half of them are to have one or more buildings rebuilt or refurbished.

In Bolton, there are six schools on the list – Canon Slade School, St Andrew's CE Primary School, St Bernard's RC Primary School, St Stephen and All Martyrs CE Primary School, St William of York RC Primary School and Thornleigh Salesian College.

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St James CEP, which had three classrooms containing RAAC demolished in 2022, had already been included on the school rebuild programme list.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said:

“This is an excellent result for Bolton with so many of our schools now benefiting from investment via the School Rebuilding Programme.

“Every young person in Bolton deserves the best possible learning environment, and our outstanding teachers need to get on with their job instead of worrying about school facilities.

“The council has been lobbying to secure RAAC funding for Bolton, and a great deal of hard work has gone into getting this over the line.  

“RAAC has been a cause of concern for everyone in recent months and we now look ahead to work starting as soon as possible.”

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: "Nothing is more important to me than the safety of every child and member of staff in schools. We will continue to work closely with schools, colleges and local authorities as we take the next step to remove RAAC from affected buildings.

"I want to thank all schools, colleges and local authorities who have worked tirelessly with the department to ensure all children remain in face-to-face education."

Four Bolton schools are to be supported via the School Rebuilding Programme.

Canon Slade, St Andrew's, St Bernard's and Thornleigh are to have one or more buildings rebuilt or refurbished because their issues with RAAC are more major.

Two Bolton schools are to be supported via funding in the form of a government grant.

RAAC at St William of York's RC School (Image: Public)

St Stephen and All Martyrs and St William of York are to remove RAAC without rebuilding or refurbishing because their issues with RAAC are more minor.

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A DfE spokesperson said: "Our priority will always be to ensure the safety of pupils and staff, which is why we took a cautious approach for schools and colleges. 

"Although the technical advice does not recommend removal in all cases where it is present, we have taken a precautionary approach for the education estate in England to remove RAAC."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.