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Flaws in RAAC and schools built by Caledonian Modular trigger widespread rebuilds of British schools.
In a recent development, the UK Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that three schools constructed by the now-defunct offsite specialist contractor, Caledonian Modular, are scheduled for demolition over structural integrity concerns. (main pic: Haygrove School, Somerset, set to be demolished. Built by now-defunct modular builder, Caledonian Modular.)
The affected schools include Haygrove School in Bridgwater, Somerset, and Sir Frederick Gibberd College in Harlow, Essex, both secondary schools, as well as Buckton Fields Primary School near Northampton. These institutions, initially closed due to risks of collapse, were part of a larger project under the UK Department of Education’s £3 billion (AUD $5.7 billion) modern methods of construction framework, established in 2020 to deliver cost-efficient and faster construction projects.
The primary and secondary schools, built in deals worth £38 million (AUD $72.5 million) and £6.5 million (AUD $12.4 million) respectively, were closed following the government’s discovery of structural weaknesses that jeopardised their ability to withstand extreme events like high winds, heavy snowfall, or car collisions.
Baroness Barran, Minister for the School System and Student Finance, confirmed the DfE’s commitment to funding the rebuilding of all three schools affected by Caledonian Modular construction issues. She acknowledged the patience of parents and students during this challenging period and promised high-quality, long-term temporary accommodation to facilitate continued face-to-face learning.
This situation has highlighted the need for stringent quality control in school construction and raised questions about the effectiveness of modular construction methods. The DfE’s Permanent Secretary Susan Acland-Hood addressed concerns, clarifying that the problems were specific to the way the modules were assembled by Caledonian Modular, rather than an inherent issue with modular construction itself.
RAAC: more than 100 schools ‘probably’ need full rebuild
Additionally, the UK’s education secretary Gillian Keegan last week informed parliament’s education select committee that over 100 schools across England are also set to be completely rebuilt due to concerns with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a material commonly used in post-war era buildings and known for safety issues.
The government has updated its list of schools and colleges containing RAAC to 231, with further surveys expected to reveal additional cases. The RAAC crisis has necessitated widespread school closures and has become a critical issue in educational infrastructure.
Find the affected schools HERE
