The government has said it expects to fund “reasonable” requests from schools needing help with the day-to-day costs associated with the disruption caused by having to close buildings with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
New guidance issued by the Department for Education (DfE) this morning advises that schools needing extra funding to “help with revenue costs, like transport to locations or temporarily renting a local hall or office”, if they have had to shut buildings, should discuss costs with their caseworker and the Education and Skills Funding Agency initially to agree funding.
Ministers have promised to cover the costs of mitigation works to make schools safe from RAAC, but guidance had originally implied that responsible bodies would have to cover the costs of arranging transport and renting alternative teaching areas themselves.
The updated guidance now says the DfE “expects all reasonable requests will be approved”.
It adds that schools should also contact their commercial insurer, or the risk protection arrangement if they are members, to discuss what help with funding can be provided.
NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede has previously called for all costs of RAAC to be covered by the government.
Tes has contacted the DfE to ask for clarification on “reasonable requests”.
