List of Essex schools with concrete issues as 65 in county affected
More than 150 schools across the country have been identified as having potentially dangerous concrete, with many having to close, partially close or delay the start of term. About 50 of those schools are in Essex, which is considered to be the worst affected area in the country.
Sir Bernard Jenkin, MP for Harwich and North Essex, said Essex is the worst affected county: “In Harwich and North Essex, there are eight schools with an identified problem, and two further schools still requiring surveys to be done. There are 65 affected schools in Essex – more than in any other county – out of 156 in total so far identified.”
The government has not yet published a full list of which schools are affected, despite calls to do so from the Labour party. However, the BBC has released a list of the schools that are confirmed to be closing, shutting certain buildings or delaying the start of term.
Here are the schools in Essex that are confirmed to be affected. Please note that the list is being constantly updated.
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The Billericay School, Billericay, Essex – some parts of the school are shut and some pupils will learn remotely
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Clacton County High School, Clacton, Essex – start of term is delayed with some remote learning
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East Bergholt High School, Colchester, Essex – the school is considering whether to delay reopening or partially close
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The Gilberd School, Colchester, Essex – the school will not reopen until 11 September for students in Year 8-11, with Year 7 pupils returning a day later
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Hatfield Peverel Junior School, Chelmsford, Essex – the school is closed until at least mid-September. Temporary classrooms are needed
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Hockley Primary School, Hockley, Essex – closed since 11 June, some year groups are being sent to other schools
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Honywood School, Colchester, Essex – 22 classrooms must be closed with immediate effect, with some pupils to do online learning and a rota system for year groups in school
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Jerounds Primary School in Harlow, Essex – RAAC was detected in the school’s kitchen but is being strengthened by a steel structure and the school will stay open
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Katherines Primary Academy, Harlow, Essex – the main building is closed
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Kingsdown School, Southend-on-Sea, Essex – the special school for children aged from three to 14 years old was told on Thursday to close its main building
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Ramsey Academy, Halstead, Essex – four classrooms have been vacated and are out of use until safety measures are in place
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Ravens Academy, Clacton-On-Sea, Essex – the school will be closed for two days next week, on 5 and 6 September
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St Clere’s School, Stanford-le-Hope, Essex – parts of the school need to close, with some pupils to learn from home
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Tendring Technology College, Frinton Campus, Essex – some years will start later, on 11 September
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White Hall Academy primary, Clacton, Essex – the school is carrying out surveys and parents were told on Friday there will be three non-teaching days
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Winter Gardens Academy, Canvey Island, Essex – parts of the school are to be vacated with immediate effect
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Woodville Primary School, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford, Essex – school closed until 11 September
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Wyburns Primary School, Rayleigh, Essex – closed for possibly up to two weeks
Essex County Council’s response
Councillor Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability said: “On 31 August 2023, the Department for Education published new guidance regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in schools.
“This guidance outlines that urgent action must be taken at any schools with known RAAC, unless a structural mitigation is already in place. If mitigations are not already in place, then buildings affected must not be used until the RAAC has been secured through a structural intervention. Surveys will also need to take place to ensure ongoing safety.
“We have communicated to all Essex schools and have been working quickly to establish schools affected by this new guidance. We understand that the vast majority of schools in Essex are not affected. The current information we have is that about 50 out of 550 schools in Essex have known RAAC. All these schools have been contacted. Many of these schools will be open for children to return from next week as expected.
“Mitigation measures will already be in place at a number of schools and plans will be put in place for others. We are also working with academies to establish how they are affected. We, alongside the Department for Education are working quickly and closely with affected schools to minimise disruption to pupils and families.
“Unless informed otherwise by your child’s school, parents should ensure their child attends school as normal when the new term begins. Parents and carers of children at affected schools will be communicated to directly by their child’s school with information and updates.”
The Essex County Council-governed area does not include Thurrock and Southend-on-Sea.