TWO schools in Warwick have been hit by the crumbling concrete crisis.
Myton School and Aylesford School both face a delay to the start of term amid safety concerns about the concrete used in their buildings.
The news follows an announcement by the government at the end of last week that more then 100 schools have been told to shut areas which have used reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
The Department for Education said the material widely used from the 1950s through to the 1990s was now “life expired” and could collapse with “little or no notice”. There have been several sudden collapses of RAAC roof panels that appeared to be in good condition recently, escalating safety concerns that have been rumbling on for years.
Many of the 1,600 pupils at Myton School may not return until Monday September 11 after the headteacher, Andy Perry, wrote to parents to say the school was among those affected.
Mr Perry said in his letter to parents that its buildings had been inspected and the results required them to delay the start date that children returned to school.
He said the school expected to lose up to 28 teaching spaces while the work to make the building safe took place.
Contingency planning meant the start of term for Year 7 and 12 would be put back from Tuesday (September 5) to Friday (September 8).
He added he hoped “as many other years as possible” would return to school on Monday September 11.
Meanwhile Aylesford School reported that some building issues had been found over the summer.
The school, which has about 1,200 pupils, announced over the weekend that it would only open for Year 7 from Monday (September 4) and Year 12 on Wednesday (September 6).
The school’s website said contractors carrying out scheduled work had found a number of issues that needed immediate specialist attention.
And while headteacher Tim Hodgson did not confirm the nature of these issues he told parents that it was well known that many school buildings built in the 1960s were constructed using methods and materials that would not be used today.
He continued: “To ensure the safety of everyone in our school community, we have been forced to close a significant area of the school while work continues to resolve all the issues.”
Mr Hodgson added he hoped to reopen the senior school fully on Monday September 11 but would update parents later this week.
The primary school at the site in Tapping Way was built in 2015 and is not affected. It will reopen on Tuesday (September 5).
Warwickshire County Council has been approached for comment.
