SHROPSHIRE'S schools face no known instances of RAAC - but some investigations are still ongoing the local authority has confirmed.

The Department for Education (DfE) revealed the list of schools affected by the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) on Wednesday (September 9) with no Shropshire ones on the list.

However, Shropshire Council has confirmed some investigations are ongoing.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We have communicated to all Shropshire schools and their responsible bodies (the council, academy trusts or diocese) and will continue to work with schools and the DfE during this process. 

“Trusts and the dioceses are responsible for ensuring that RAAC is not present in academies and voluntary aided schools, and the council will provide support to these responsible bodies.

“Based on current information, RAAC has not been found in any school buildings in Shropshire and there are no closures.”

OTHER NEWS:

In March 2022, the DfE initiated the process of checking school buildings that may be impacted by RAAC by reaching out to all responsible bodies overseeing schools built within the timeframe of 1930 and 1990, urging them to complete a comprehensive questionnaire.

Since then, Shropshire Council has been working alongside educational institutions and the DfE to investigate its presence.

The questionnaire responses, along with archived construction blueprints and other pertinent details, serve as crucial components in the determination of RAAC presence.

But the spokesperson added that while the majority of schools have completed this assessment, a small number of educational institutions are still undergoing further investigative work to ascertain their status.

They said: “We appreciate the concerns that are generated around this matter, given the high-profile national media coverage, but we would like to reassure parents and carers that schools in Shropshire remain safe.

“We would therefore actively encourage parents and carers to ensure that children attend school as usual.”