Stowupland High School near Stowmarket has RAAC confirmed in several sections of building leading to remote learning for some students

A sixth Suffolk school has been confirmed to contain the lightweight form of concrete known as RAAC.

The start of term has been disrupted at Stowupland High School in Stowupland, near Stowmarket, after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was found, leading to the closure of 17 learning spaces.

The John Milton Academy Trust, which the school is part of, said a structural engineer confirmed RAAC in several sections of the high school building on Tuesday morning, which has reduced the number of classrooms available for learning.

There were two year groups in yesterday – Years 7 and 12 – which had been planned for their induction, but the return of school for Years 8, 9 and 10 has been delayed, with them now doing remote learning today and tomorrow.

The school hopes to welcome all years back to school on Monday.

A spokesperson for JMAT said: “The safety of our pupils is our number one priority. The areas in question have been sectioned off, allowing children to move safely through the school building throughout the day.

“Parents and carers have been informed and staff are working to utilise and repurpose all existing spaces for classroom use.

“We are in close contact with the Department for Education and will update parents and carers with any further developments.”

The return plan for students is as follows:

•Wednesday: Years 7 and 12 and Mulberry Centre pupils only;

•Thursday: Years 7, 11, 12, 13, Mulberry Centre and vulnerable pupils only;

•Friday: Years 7, 11, 12, 13, Mulberry Centre and vulnerable pupils only;

•Monday (September 11): hope to welcome all years back to school.

A letter to parents and carers on Tuesday said the Department for Education (DfE) recently changed its guidance to education settings on the management of RAAC to take a more precautionary approach.

“We have been following DfE guidance and, as such, have completed an additional site inspection following the most recent guidelines,” it said.

“Unfortunately, the engineer has found RAAC has been used in some of the floor construction. We are currently working with the DfE to ensure remedial actions can be carried out as a matter of urgency.”

The letter said the science labs, library and humanities rooms are now out of action, which equates to a loss of 17 learning spaces.

“The areas affected, however, are mainly in one area of the school building thus, once access is restricted, we can still ensure that students can safely move around the school building and site,” it said.

The other Suffolk schools confirmed to contain RAAC are Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, Hadleigh High School in Hadleigh, near Sudbury, Claydon High School, near Ipswich, East Bergholt High School and Thurston Community College near Bury St Edmunds.

However, remedial works have already taken place at Thurston and the areas have been signed off as safe to use.