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Concrete crisis: Tensions rise over DfE's 'name and shame' threat

Facilities Legislation and guidance Whole-school issues Government policy Governance and management
Tensions are running high in the concrete crisis after the government threatened to name and shame schools for not returning building surveys – even though some did so months ago.
Image: Adobe Stock -

It comes as the Department for Education (DfE) is to be hauled before the Education Select Committee to explain the fiasco that has marred the start of term for thousands of children.

Around 150 schools have been forced to close buildings, with hundreds more awaiting the outcome of official assessments. Data published on Wednesday (September 6) suggests that 43 schools did not open on time this term or have been teaching some or all pupils remotely.

On Monday (September 4), it emerged that an estimated 1,500 schools have yet to complete questionnaires about whether their buildings contain reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), a lightweight concrete that is “susceptible to failure”.

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