Resilient Schools Beat RAAC & Pupils Return

TWO Bradford schools have been able to return to classrooms where Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found.

Christ Church Academy, located on Wrose Brow Road in Windhill, and Baildon CE Primary School, on Coverdale Way, adopted alternative learning provisions for pupils after RAAC was identified in parts of the schools’ buildings in September.

Both schools are part of the Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust (BDAT) which fast-tracked inspections and funded structural surveys to mitigate the impact of the crumbling concrete and ensure the buildings were safe so pupils could return to learning as quickly as possible.

The trust took measures to ensure pupils could continue in-person lessons whilst the building work took place.

Some were able to carry out their education in safe parts of their school building or in marquees on the school grounds, while others were taught at local community hubs and schools, including sister BDAT school, Shipley CofE Primary, St John’s Church and Nell Bank.

Following successful and rapid remedial work by specialist contractors, both schools are now safe and secure for pupils and staff to return to.

Over the next few months, further long-term solutions will be undertaken to future-proof the buildings for years to come.

This work will be carried out during the school holidays to minimise any disruption to children’s learning.

Katie Savage, Headteacher of Baildon CE Primary School, said:

“It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome our whole school family back into our school building this week.

“We are so grateful to our children and staff for the incredible resilience they have shown over the past two months.”

Philippa Foster, Headteacher of Christ Church Academy, added:

“It has been fantastic to welcome all our children back into our building this week.

“We had a very moving collective Worship on Monday with everyone gathered together in our own school hall for the first time this year.

“One of our youngest pupils expressed it perfectly when he said very simply and very sincerely, ‘Mrs Foster, I love our school!’”

Carol Dewhurst, CEO of Bradford Diocesan Academies Trust, said:

“The safety and wellbeing of our pupils and staff is our top priority and that is why we funded inspections to ensure we knew as early as possible if our schools were affected.

“Thanks to the fantastic work of our contractors, we are delighted that all pupils have returned to their schools and will be taught inside and face-to-face from this week.”

Source: The Telegraph & Argus