General queries relating to RAAC in schools

Is the Council currently aware of the use of RAAC within the construction of Bedford Borough Council maintained schools and has any work been undertaken to search for or identify the use of RAAC?

Surveys commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) were conducted in schools over the summer. The surveys undertaken on behalf of the DfE to date did not identify any Council-maintained schools in Bedford Borough that contain RAAC.

As a precaution, Bedford Borough Council also commissioned desktop surveys to understand the risk of the presence of RAAC in Council-maintained schools. Following this, as another precautionary measure and in accordance with government and industry guidance, intrusive surveys are being undertaken at 33 schools sites containing buildings constructed before 1995 are being surveyed to confirm if RAAC is present. Of these 33 schools, 6 require further inspection due to specialist equipment being needed to access some of the areas that need to be surveyed.

So far, no RAAC has been identified in any council-maintained school.

What did the Department for Education surveys include and can they be published?

The surveys provided by the DfE are largely based on desktop analysis with a visual inspection. The reports are provided for the use of the DfE and the Council cannot publish them. Schools, however, are being provided with copies of the report for their site and meetings are being arranged with a DfE caseworker to review the results.

The Council has received invitations to these meetings and will be represented.

Is Bedford Borough Council working with academies in the borough to ensure the safety of their buildings?

The DfE has stated that academies are responsible for obtaining their own building survey. Despite this, we have contacted academies and independent schools to offer support if required in accessing a survey. 

Should RAAC be identified in any building, we will offer to work with those schools to ensure there is a clear plan in place that prioritises staff and pupil safety as well as minimises any disruption to learning.

Two non-maintained schools were suspected to have RAAC, Great Barford Academy and St James' CE Primary School. However, following investigative works it was confirmed that the buildings at these schools are clear of RAAC.

Inspection teams at schools

Why are surveyors present at the school?

Initial DfE surveys conducted over the summer did not identify any Council-maintained schools in Bedford Borough that contain RAAC. As a precaution, Bedford Borough Council undertook stage one desktop surveys and as a precautionary measure, has commenced intrusive surveys on 33 of the maintained school sites in accordance with RAAC government and industry published guidance.

What will the surveyors be doing at the school?

The surveyors will remove ceiling panels and ceiling finishes where it is necessary and safe to do so in order to inspect the construction materials used in the buildings. Where RAAC is suspected, small samples may be taken for laboratory testing to confirm or rule out the presence of RAAC.

An assessment of the potential risk will be made onsite during the inspection, with clear and appropriate measures put in place to minimise risk which will be communicated to the Borough in the first instance and then to the Head Teacher.  

How long will the inspection work take?  

The programme of surveying inspections of Council-maintained schools began in mid-September and was predominantly completed in October with exception of those areas requiring specialist access which will be programmed as a priority in consultation with the schools during November.  

What will happen if RAAC is found in school buildings?

In the event that a building is believed to contain RAAC, a small sample will be taken by the surveying team onsite. This will be sent for testing and analysis in a laboratory to confirm or rule out the presence of RAAC. An assessment of the potential risk will be made onsite during the inspection, with clear and appropriate measures put in place to minimise risk which will be communicated to the Borough in the first instance and then to the Head Teacher.

General RAAC queries

Is the Council currently aware of the use of RAAC within the construction of any other buildings across the corporate estate?

Bedford Borough Council has commenced a further desktop exercise for the corporate and investment estate, which will include 190 assets. This will then determine whether any of those buildings require an intrusive survey in accordance with RAAC government and industry published guidance.

How are the surveys commissioned by Bedford Borough Council being funded?

The cost of the Council commissioned surveys will be met from existing Council budgets.

Date of last review: 01/12/2023