Packed public meeting on faulty concrete at Forres Academy puts parents face to face with Moray Council

MORAY Council leader Councillor Kathleen Robertson told a packed Forres Town Hall that she is happy for her teenage son to return to faulty concrete-struck Forres Academy.

Cllr Robertson (Forres, Conservative) chaired the event in the lesser hall aimed at re-assuring over 100 parents and carers concerned about pupils' safety following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in the school.

"The school is safe. My own son attended today and he returned home unscathed," she said.

"We are experiencing a fluid, dynamic situation and we've had to act at pace over the last fortnight. There is a lot to deal with ahead with regards to teaching arrangements and more."

Cllr Robertson introduced a panel including Learning Estate programme manager Andy Hall, vice chairman of Forres Academy Parent Partnership Kevin Skivington, Moray Council chief executive Roddy Burns, Forres Academy head teacher Jan Sinclair, head of Housing and Property Services Edward Thomas, head of Education Vivienne Cross and quality improvement manager Stewart Mclauchlan.

Each tackled aspects of the situation at the secondary, closed last-minute after structural engineers found that the "entire upper floor", and some ground floor areas, faced a higher-risk than first thought from the faulty concrete.

S4-S6 pupils returned this Wednesday, S1-S3 pupils returned today (Thursday, September 21) with S4-S6 pupils at home, and a full return to the bottom floor is planned for Friday, September 22.

Cllr Robertson suggested that each panellist discuss aspects of the situation, before the meeting moved to the main hall for attendees to ask questions at four tables dealing with the school's future, the pupils' education, the property estate and school's staff.

However, after around 40 minutes of speeches and questions the "breakout session" was abandoned as too many people crowded too few stations.

Mrs Robertson called everyone back to the lesser hall for a further Q&A.

Queries covered: why the word "critical" was being used; the possibility of asbestos within the school; how the upper floor has been sealed off; where pupils are being taught; why online learning is being used rather than online teaching; the wellbeing of pupils; when Forres will get a new secondary; evacuation procedures; communications; how the Scottish Government is helping; and how the community can help.

Mr Thomas pointed out that the situation for certain classrooms was deemed critical in August. After starting work earlier this month, engineers discovered more of the building should be classified as such.

Concerns were raised about ground floor safety, should the RAAC-hit school's roof collapse.

Mr Thomas explained: "There are lightweight panels on the first floor but the ground floor is supported by a concrete structure. The RAAC panels are not large, so if they fell they would not cause a major structural failure, simply fall to the floor. There is absolutely no risk."

Attendees asked if inspections had revealed asbestos in the school which could emerge through further damage.

Mr Thomas explained that RAAC-affected areas of the school have been sealed off but engineers do not anticipate a collapse.

"Disturbance of the air would be unlikely," he added. " The floor has been isolated."

Mrs Sinclair explained that the upper floor has been completely sealed off, safely preventing access to pupils.

She added: "Darroch and Allan have put Heras fencing on the stairwells so there is no way any children will get upstairs."

Audience members were met with applause when they asked about a new building in the near future.

One claimed staff and pupils used buckets to collect rainfall from the school's leaking roof when she attended 30 years ago.

She added: "Why is it taking so long for Forres to get a new school – Elgin got two."

Cllr Robertson assured her that a new secondary for Forres should happen within the next three years.

The education team, Mr Burns said, is currently working around contingency plans focused on education, the current building and a new school.

Mr Hall added that the Education department is "accelerating" new school efforts but is, meanwhile, discussing arrangements for classes, particularly for senior students, displaced by the RAAC situation.

He said: "We have re-purposed areas of the school for metalwork and science classes, and there are modular classrooms in Elgin."

An audience member asked if pupils could stay at home and be taught by teachers online instead of in person.

Mrs Sinclair explained that not all pupils have the devices or connectivity necessary for online teaching.

Regarding pupils' wellbeing, the head teacher assured the audience staff are "keeping eyes open", carrying out surveys and offering guidance.

She added: "Our health and safety plans have been approved by the council and all pupils advised of emergency exit points."

Another concerned parent complained about the general lack of information provided by Forres Academy and Moray Council.

Mrs Sinclair said communication has been and will be issued "as and when required", on the "fluid" situation.

Mr Burns added that communication is issued after every meeting of the team managing the RAAC response.

On the Scottish Government's actions, Mr Hall explained that Moray Council is chasing confirmation of funding for a new school.

He said: "New schools take anything between 76 and 96 weeks on average. The new academy will be located in the centre of Forres - Roysvale is currently the preferred location. We are trying to speed the process up."

Cllr Robertson ended the meeting by thanking an audience member who suggested that alternative public buildings – such as church halls – could be used to provide classroom space during the disruption.

She said: "I'm happy to send my own son to Forres Academy while the RAAC work is being completed. Please reach out to our professional experts to have any fears allayed. We are all in the same boat. I suggest we have another public meeting in early November to assess the situation then. Guidance staff are available to help, as are your four local councillors and the parent partnership."

She finished: "Updates are being shared all over. Please bear with us, look everywhere for updates and if anyone is struggling, reach out. We will get through this if we all pull together."

For more information email: learningestate@moray.gov.uk