RAAC and school disruption: FAQs

Last reviewed on 22 September 2023
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School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 47114

Get answers to FAQs on the current concerns about reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in school buildings and what the situation means for you. Choose from our template letters to help you explain your school's situation to parents/carers and offer reassurance where you need to.

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Contents

  1. What is RAAC?
  2. How do I find out whether my school buildings contain RAAC?
  3. What should I do if I think my school buildings contain RAAC?
  4. Will my school, or part of my school, need to close?
  5. If it does, where should school take place instead?
  6. What if there isn’t space for all pupils to continue learning face-to-face?
  7. How will this impact safeguarding?
  8. How should we record attendance?
  9. Where will the funding come from?
  10. How will this impact admissions?
  11. How will I get school meals to pupils who can’t attend school?
  12. What if pupils are due to take exams and assessments?
  13. What if I can’t run my breakfast or after-school clubs?
  14. What should I tell pupils, parents and carers? 

This article is based on the DfE's guidance for schools on reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). We understand that this is a developing situation and plan to update this article as and when we have more information – select 'save for later' at the top of the page to receive a notification when we do. 

If you already know whether you have RAAC in your buildings and what your next steps are, and just want help to craft your communication to parents/carers, jump straight to the last section to choose from our template letters.

Please note: the DfE's assessment survey programme is only available to state-funded settings in England. However, the guidance linked above and these FAQs should be helpful to all other settings too.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight, ‘bubbly’ form of concrete commonly used in construction between the 1950s and mid-1990s. It’s usually

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