Concrete crisis: Headteachers in weekend dash to make schools safe to open

Amid school closures due to unsafe buildings, England’s headteachers are scrambling this weekend to find ways to reopen their schools in time for the new term. 

Many of the 104 schools told to shut due to the buildings are busy rejigging timetables, seeking alternative classrooms and trying to rent temporary toilets. 

Parents are being emailed last-minute plans for home learning and moving children to other schools. 

The government is set to publish a full list of schools with buildings known to contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), but wanted to wait for headteachers to make initial contact.

The Department for Education told 104 schools and colleges in England to partially or fully shut buildings at risk of collapsing and introduce safety measures. 

It comes just days ahead of the new academic year.