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<p>The safety of pupils and teachers is paramount. The Department has allocated over
£15 billion since 2015 for keeping school buildings safe and in good working order,
including £1.8 billion committed for 2023/24. In addition, the School Rebuilding Programme
will transform buildings at 500 schools, prioritising poor condition and potential
safety issues.</p><p>The Department have asked all responsible bodies, such as Local
Authorities, academy trusts and voluntary aided school bodies, to inform the Department
of the possible presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their
buildings and how they are managing it. The Department continues to urge all responsible
bodies to contact us immediately if they have any serious concerns about their school
buildings.</p><p>The Department is commissioning assessments of cases of suspected
RAAC to confirm whether it is present and ensure appropriate and rapid action is taken
to address any immediate risk, based on the advice of structural engineers. This can
include funding support for capital works to remove any immediate risk and, where
absolutely necessary, the provision of temporary buildings.</p><p>Longer term remediation
of RAAC is supported by annual capital funding provided to the sector and the Department’s
rebuilding programme. The Department provides additional support on a case by case
basis where there is a serious safety issue with a school building that cannot be
managed independently by Local Authorities, academy trusts, and voluntary aided school
bodies.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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