Forres Academy has concrete linked to 2018 "sudden collapse" of school
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LIGHTWEIGHT concrete linked to an 2018 school collapse has been found in Forres Academy.
Work will begin this week to allow the school to next week as expected.
A "very small number" of classrooms will also be "locked with no access" with further work planned to "bring the structures up to the required standards" and "reduce risk in the future".
Moray Council has sent a letter to parents, confirming them that Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found during summer inspections by chartered engineers.
Forres Academy is the only school in Moray to include the material.
RAAC was often used in flat-roofed buildings built between the 1950s and 1990s.
The lightweight concrete is "much weaker" than traditional concrete, according to a May 2019 safety alert, and NHS Grampian – which is surveying 54 buildings which could have the material – said the chance it will "fail" increases with water damage or faulty manufacturing.
A school in Kent suffered a "sudden" collapse in 2018 with "very little" warning, as a result of faulty RAAC.
The Forres Academy classrooms to be closed and locked will be in the Science and Art and Design areas.
Confirming that RAAC is present at Forres Academy, the Council's letter reads: "As per expectation, regular surveys, over a number of years have been undertaken across the Moray Council property portfolio.
"We have one school which has RAAC components and this is Forres Academy."
The letter added that that detailed survey came in response to April guidance from the Institution of Structural Engineers.
It added: "This work will commence as soon as is practical and will be prioritised to take place after school hours and over weekends to minimise disruption to the school.
"We are working closely with the Head Teacher who is currently reviewing the timetable and pupils will be notified of any changes on Tuesday when they return.
"There may be slight modifications to fire exit procedures and pupils will be briefed on this so that they are aware of any changes to current practice."
The letter's ending reads: "We provide you with the reassurance that regular monitoring and inspection will be undertaken as part of the ongoing property maintenance and management programme.
"You will be updated on progress by the Head Teacher as part of ongoing communication."
