Nine schools in Kent have identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), as of February 8, 2024.

The Department for Education (DfE) has released information outlining its plans to permanently address the challenges faced by schools and colleges nationwide due to RAAC.

This announcement follows a plea from a union representing school leaders, urging the government to offer increased financial assistance to schools grappling with persistent RAAC related issues.

Below are the nine Kent schools where RAAC has been identified in Kent:

1. Birchington Church of England Primary School (primary): School Rebuilding Programme

2. Godinton Primary School (primary): grant

3. King Ethelbert School (secondary): School Rebuilding Programme

4. Palmarsh Primary School (primary): School Rebuilding Programme

5. St Bartholomew’s Catholic Primary School, Swanley (primary): grant

6. St James’ Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School (primary): School Rebuilding Programme

7. Sunny Bank Primary School (primary): School Rebuilding Programme

8. Westlands School (secondary): School Rebuilding Programme

9. Holcombe Grammar School (secondary): grant

Three schools in Kent will have a grant for removing the concrete, whilst the other six schools will have one or more blocks rebuilt or refurbished as part of the School Rebuilding Programme.

A total of 234 education settings in England have been identified as having Raac in some areas of their buildings, which is a slight rise on 231 on November 27.

The DfE has said that 119 of these schools will have one or more buildings rebuilt or refurbished through the Government’s School Rebuilding Programme as works to remove Raac are more extensive or complex.

A further 110 schools and colleges – where works will typically be smaller in scale – will receive a grant to help them remove Raac from their buildings.

Five schools and colleges have alternative arrangements in place to address the removal of Raac, the DfE said.

Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said: “Nothing is more important to me than the safety of every child and member of staff in school.

“We will continue to work closely with schools and colleges as we take the next step to permanently remove Raac from affected buildings.”