No colleges have delayed the start of term due to dangerous “crumbly” concrete, their membership body has said as the RAAC crisis engulfs schools.
Julian Gravatt, deputy chief executive of the Association of Colleges, also said there had been no “significant building closures” for colleges related to concerns around reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (RAAC), although he is “certain” there will be a few cases where college buildings contain it.
It comes days after the government ordered 104 schools in England to stay closed for the beginning of term, as their buildings are at risk of collapse due to RAAC. It is understood officials learned over the summer of cases where buildings with RAAC collapsed, despite not showing any signs of deterioration.
The concrete was widely used as a lighter alternative to standard concrete between the 1950s and 1980s, but studies have since found the material can become destabilised after installation.
