School recovers after 75% of pupils left over Raac

One of the first schools in England identified as having crumbling concrete says it is on the road to recovery, after its pupil numbers dropped by more than 75% during the crisis.

Mistley Norman Primary School - now called Stourview CofE Primary Academy, near Manningtree - had to close its main building for almost two years when reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was discovered in its ceiling.

Pupil numbers reportedly fell from 85 to fewer than 20 as both the school and individual parents moved the children to other schools.

But 21 pupils are now said to be back on the Essex site in temporary modular classrooms.

Raac was a material used as a cheaper alternative to standard concrete post World War Two, but has a shorter lifespan and can crumble under pressure.

Raac was found in 237 schools and Essex was the worst affected county, with 70 of its schools having to close at least part of their site.

The government confirmed last month it plans to remove Raac from all affected schools by 2029.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: "After years of neglect, we are giving every child a safe and high-quality classroom where they can focus on learning - by setting clear timelines for the permanent removal of Raac from schools and colleges.

"It's what parents expect, it's what children deserve."

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