The government has been urged to “do everything possible” to ensure that eligible children continue to receive free meals at schools affected by the discovery of collapse-prone concrete.
More than 100 schools and colleges have been advised to at least partially close buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) after several incidents this summer sparked concern, inluding a beam collapsing without warning on school premises, schools minister Nick Gibb said.
The Department for Education has said that a “minority” will need to “either fully or partially relocate” to alternative accommodation while safety measures are installed.
With schools informed of the decision just days before the end of the summer holidays, charities have warned that there must be no disruption to free school meals, and that ministers must ensure all children are able to access remote lessons if classroom closures force them to learn at home.
Experts warned of the need to avoid a repeat of the pandemic, “when the already-large attainment gap grew even wider”.
