A secondary school in Wakefield has been forced to close today (Thursday) after an in-depth survey identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was present in the building, says UNISON.
St Thomas a Becket Catholic Secondary School is now closed for the rest of the week and will move to online learning after half term (from Monday 30 October).
UNISON is concerned about the impact the school closure will have on both students and staff.
The union has asked the Bishop Konstant Catholic Academy Trust, which runs the school, to explain the extent of the problem, the estimated costs of addressing the issue and how long remote learning is to be in place.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Rianne Hooley said: “It’s really concerning that this dangerous concrete has only just been identified in the school, so long after the issue has been in the spotlight and this far into the autumn term.
“It means that since September the pupils and staff have been learning and working in a potentially dangerous building.
“The government has completely mishandled the crumbly concrete situation and continues to do so. Ministers must cough up and fund the repairs to St Thomas a Becket so children and staff can get back to normal as soon as possible.”
