School's Out!

English school education has been disrupted by the Covid19 pandemic and teacher's strikes. Now, just before the start of the new school year, more than 150 schools have been warned not to open. Their buildings are too dangerous (https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/sep/01/more-english-schools-could-close-raac-crumbling-concrete-minister). Schools (and hospitals), between the 1950s and 1990s, were often built using Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC). RAAC was employed in the construction of floors, roofs and walls of public buildings. In recent years, several roofs have collapsed. Apparently, RAAC is at the end of its working life. It seems extraordinary that that this wasn't factored into plans for building refurbishment and replacement. Weirdly, it's up to the head teachers to inform parents and children about the closures. It's not just the kids who need educating!