Ofsted has rejected calls to automatically exempt schools with RAAC from inspection, but urged leaders to use its deferral policy if they get the call. In the autumn term, the watchdog removed all schools affected by the crumbly concrete from its inspection schedule. But since January, these schools have been eligible for inspection. Geoff Barton, the general secretary of the ASCL school leaders鈥� union, to request an extension of the approach. He asked 鈥渢hat you instruct Ofsted to continue to avoid scheduling for inspection any school on the published RAAC list until the school is fully operational, unless the headteacher has notified Ofsted that they are happy to undergo an inspection鈥�. Geoff Barton In a statement issued today, Ofsted said RAAC schools would continue to be eligible for inspection, 鈥渉owever this will be sufficient grounds to defer the inspection, should the school wish to鈥�. 鈥淲e know that the situation with RAAC is still causing challenges for school staff, pupils and their parents and guardians. 鈥淔or schools that do not have confirmed RAAC but may still be impacted by RAAC, for example where a school is hosting pupils from schools that have RAAC, we will carefully consider any requests for a deferral of an inspection鈥� It comes after Barton took aim in his letter at the pace of government action to address the RAAC crisis in schools. He said the danger of structural failure in school buildings where RAAC was used in construction 鈥渉as been known since at least 2018鈥�. ‘Extremely difficult position’ 鈥淭he unacceptable length of time it has taken the government to act on a risk of this seriousness has led directly to the extremely difficult position in which many school leaders now find themselves.鈥� He also echoed calls for mitigations to exams for pupils in affected schools. Where schools have had to close specialist provision like science labs, 鈥渟tudents in these subjects should automatically be given special consideration for coursework and non-exam assessment (NEA) in any subjects affected鈥�. This 鈥渟hould be at a cohort level, without the need for centres to apply individually for each candidate, as is currently the case鈥�. He added that special consideration 鈥渟hould include the maximum extended time to complete the NEA, and the maximum percentage of additional marks available under current JCQ guidance鈥�. He also called on chancellor Jeremy Hunt to introduce a 鈥渘ew recovery funding stream for all 231 RAAC-impacted schools in the spring budget鈥�, and said government must ensure outstanding RAAC spending by schools is reimbursed 鈥渁s soon as possible鈥�.
Frank Solarz 7 February 2024 Our school is without 18 classrooms. Many specialist spaces. We are without a school kitchen; this mean not even students on free school meals can get a hot meal and it is winter! The DFE continue to procrastinate. We have temporary rooms in place. However, students are suffering by not having access to specialist rooms; coursework will suffer but the examination boards do not want to know. When will the DFE realise that “face to face” is not enough.