Thurston Community College near Bury St Edmunds says remedial works already undertaken following discovery of RAAC

A secondary school has said areas of its site affected by RAAC concrete have undergone remedial works and are safe to use.

Thurston Community College in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, has explained the situation regarding reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) at the school after it was included in the Government’s list of settings with confirmed RAAC.

The list of schools and colleges where the presence of RAAC was confirmed by August 30 has been published by the Department for Education (DfE) today.

A spokesman for Thurston Community College said RAAC had been identified in the English block and a single classroom (separate to the main building), which has also had remedial works undertaken.

He said: “It was identified in 2018 that Thurston Community College had two areas that were constructed using RAAC; at that time measures were taken to strengthen the roof.

“Following a survey at the beginning of this year it was recommended that further remedial works be undertaken. The two areas in question were immediately closed and work has been undertaken to further strengthen the roof and mitigate the issues.

“The work was completed and signed off as being safe for us to use at the end of the summer holidays. Our newly-refurbished English block is now being enjoyed by our students.

“We are grateful to both Suffolk County Council and the DfE for working with us to quickly find a solution and support the project. We are continuing to work with the DfE on our School Rebuild which is currently in the feasibility phase.”

SuffolkNews reported in December that Thurston Community College had been announced as part of the Government's School Rebuilding Programme.

The other Suffolk schools affected by RAAC are Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, Hadleigh High School in Hadleigh, near Sudbury, Claydon High School, near Ipswich, and East Bergholt High School.