Schools with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) can choose to have their inspections deferred for the rest of the academic year, Ofsted has announced today.
The presence of RAAC in a school’s building will be “sufficient grounds to defer the inspection”, according to the watchdog.
During the spring term of this year, Ofsted had said that schools with RAAC would be eligible for inspections but could defer if they wished. Today’s announcement extends this approach to the end of the academic year.
In the autumn term, Ofsted removed all schools included in the list of education settings affected by RAAC, published by the Department for Education (DfE), from its autumn inspection schedule.
Headteachers have called for Ofsted to exempt RAAC schools from inspections owing to the “financial detriment” the crisis is causing education settings.
Schools that do not have RAAC but are still affected by issues relating to it - such as those hosting pupils from schools that do have RAAC - will not necessarily be exempt from inspection.
“We will carefully consider any requests for a deferral of an inspection,” Ofsted told schools in a statement released today.
The watchdog has also emphasised that it “retains the right to inspect any setting, including those affected by RAAC”, should it have any concerns about the school.
According to the latest government data, there are 234 schools with RAAC.
While there has been no confirmed end date to the RAAC crisis, more than 100 schools affected by the crumbly concrete will be rebuilt, the DfE announced earlier this year.
Headteachers in affected schools have been urging the government to provide a timescale for rebuilding plans.
RAAC schools are currently exempt from providing wraparound care, following an announcement earlier this year.
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