In March 2023, Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was found in the roof of the main hall at Shawfield Primary School. Michael has been supporting the school and monitoring the situation closely.
*LATEST UPDATE* 21 May 2024 – Following his recent visit to Shawfield Primary School, Michael wrote to the Education Secretary once again regarding the School Rebuilding Programme and ensuring the replacement of the roof in the main school hall takes place as soon as possible.
3 May 2024 – Michael visited Shawfield Primary School again and met the Headteacher, Stephen Corcoran, to discuss the RAAC situation further.
2 April 2024 – A response was received from the Education Secretary, which is attached below.
8 March 2024 – Michael wrote to the Education Secretary regarding Shawfield’s placement on the School Rebuilding Programme, and the possibility of switching the school’s funding to a grant to enable the replacement of the roof to take place this coming summer.
16 February 2024 – Michael requested an update from Headteacher, Stephen Corcoran, as to whether good progress was being made and if the project is on track for this summer.
15 December 2023 - Michael wrote to the Mr Corcoran to pass on the update from Surrey County Council.
17 November 2023 - Michael wrote to Surrey County Council to ask for an update on the situation.
10 November 2023 - Michael wrote to the Headteacher, Mr Corcoran, to pass on the following response from the Education Secretary:
“Turning to the concerns you shared from Mr Corcoran, Headteacher of Shawfield Primary School, about funding to replace the roof in the main school hall due to RAAC. I want to assure Mr Corcoran that the department is committed to supporting schools with RAAC and the government has committed to spend what it takes to keep children safe. I was pleased to read that Shawfield has successfully completed work to mitigate the impact of RAAC in the school and students have returned this term without any disruption to learning.
To rectify the RAAC issue for the longer term, we will fund longer-term refurbishment projects, or rebuilding projects where these are needed. The requirements of each school or college with RAAC will vary depending on the extent of the issue and nature and design of the buildings. Schools and colleges will either be offered capital grants to fund refurbishment work to permanently remove RAAC, or rebuilding projects where these are needed, including through the School Rebuilding Programme. We will set out further details for affected schools and colleges in due course.”
26 October 2023 - Michael wrote again to the Education Secretary concerning RAAC, raising the issue of funding to enable the replacement of the roof.
10 October 2023 - Surrey County Council responded on 10 October, which was shared with the Headteacher, Mr Corcoran.
21 September 2023 – Michael wrote to Surrey County Council and to the Department for Education to make enquiries regarding funding for a replacement roof at Shawfield Primary School.
8 September 2023 - Michael telephoned Mr Corcoran to discuss any help that he can provide to the school to assist with its plans to replace the roof as soon as possible and with minimal disruption.
5 September 2023 - Mr Corcoran contacted Michael to provide a further update. Michael was pleased to read that the school would return this term without any disruption to teaching and learning, and that efforts were underway to ensure the roof can be replaced.
2 April 2023 - Following Michael’s telephone call with Baroness Barran, Michael’s office contacted Mr Corcoran to ask him to keep Michael informed of any developments and to let him know if he experiences any difficulties.
23 March 2023 - Mr Corcoran kindly responded with an update on the situation and informed Michael of the assistance that was being provided by Surrey County Council (SCC) to minimise the impact to pupils. Michael also understood that remedial works would take place to mitigate any risk and that an independent survey had been commissioned by SCC.
22 March 2023 - Michael contacted the Head Teacher of Shawfield Primary School, Stephen Corcoran, and informed him he would discuss the situation with Baroness Barran, Minister for the School System and Student Finance, the following day.
20 March 2023 - Following a survey conducted by Arup and commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE), on 20 March 2023 the DfE contacted Michael to inform him of concerns relating to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete in the roof of the main hall at Shawfield Primary School. The DfE had advised the school to close the main hall.