Forres Academy

RAAC was commonly used in construction between the 1950s and the 1990s. The current Forres Academy building opened in 1969. At the time, RAAC was used as it was relatively lightweight, which made transportation, lifting and handling easier, and reduced the load to supporting structures and foundations. It also had good thermal properties and was fire resistant.

The Scottish Government has been working with local authorities, NHS Scotland and other public sector organisations to understand the extent of the RAAC issue in public buildings and to ensure remedial work and mitigations had been put in place where needed.

Where moisture has been able to get into the concrete its strength can be weakened. Structural problems have been identified in a small number buildings elsewhere which have been constructed using RAAC. Engineers are working nationally to better understand the issues. The lifespan of RAAC is now estimated to be around 30 years.

Following updated guidance from the UK Government in late 2022 Moray Council conducted desktop reviews of our whole building estate, including our 54 schools. This progressed to a physical investigation in a number of buildings over the summer of 2023, which confirmed Forres Academy has having RAAC in its flat roof structure. Our Structural Engineers, Fairhurst, provided us with a full report on 30 August 2023, which fully identified all areas of the school where RAAC was present.

Initially seven rooms were identified as ‘critical’ or ‘high risk’ and therefore couldn’t be used – these were in the science and art corridors on the first floor. There were further areas of ‘medium risk’, which, at the time of the report, were deemed safe to use with regular monitoring to be undertaken.

These areas include the drama/music corridor and classrooms; toilets and staffroom on the ground floor and most of the first floor in the oldest part of the building are not accessible due to the presence of RAAC.

We have written confirmation from the structural engineers that other than the areas noted above the rest of the ground floor is safe to use and the newer extensions to the building are not affected.

Initially, the advice received was based on ‘high risk’ areas being required to close. This allowed us to re-open most of the school after the summer holidays with access to the affected areas closed off.

The subsequent change to the risk level from ‘medium’ to ‘high’ meant more areas of the school needed to be closed. The decision was taken to close the whole building to let staff step up the contingency measures and for us to continue to receive advice from Fairhurst.

On 31 August 2023 the UK Department of Education published updated guidelines for schools in England containing RAAC, based on new information regarding the failure of RAAC panels. This information was discussed with our structural engineers. At this time it was reaffirmed by the Scottish Government that decisions on the use of buildings containing RAAC in Scotland should be made with reference to Structural Engineer advice and in particular the Institution of Structural Engineers guidance. Our Structural Engineers undertook an internal review of the continuing evolving position regarding RAAC and confirmed that additional intrusive inspection was required to check the reinforcement bars and the bearings of the panels. Following this investigation it was noted that the bearings did not meet the required size as stipulated within the Institution of Structural Engineers guidance and that those areas of ‘medium risk’ should now be considered ‘high risk’.

The change in advice is not due to a deterioration in the concrete panels.

It’s safe to use all areas of the school that don’t contain RAAC panels. We’ve received written confirmation from Fairhurst that the ground floor is safe to use, other than the drama/music corridor. The RAAC is contained in the original part of the building, built in 1969, it has not been used in the newer extensions.

The school is currently operating at 74% capacity, so there is space that can be utilised differently to accommodate all pupils.

Where staff need access to rooms to get equipment and resources they will have controlled access supported by the contractors onsite.

Fire Risk Assessments and wider safety measures based on all advice available from the Institute of Structural Engineers and Fairhurst have been introduced to ensure the building is safe to use. Areas have neem cordoned off where restricted (e.g stairwells) with further adjustments to be made in the weeks ahead.

Risk assessments have been carried out throughout this week and will continue as the school begins to return. This has also identified the need for a change to the emergency exits and fire safety plans. Pupils will be briefed on where their nearest exit is based on where they are for each class.

Discussions are ongoing as to what work will be completed and when.  

The affected part of the school is a steel frame building with the RAAC panels spanning between steel beams. In order to reintroduce structural integrity to these panels, remedial measures may need to be implemented in some areas of the school.

Fundamentally, this would involve installing supporting steelwork beneath the panels to enhance the support arrangement to comply with the Institute of Structural Engineering guidance.

The disruption to the rest of the school estate if we were to move all pupils to other schools means it’s not possible to accommodate a wholesale decant to other schools in Moray at short notice.

The initial contingency plan is to utilise as much space within the school as possible to allow learning to continue until the end of term. However, this requires reconfiguring rooms into classroom areas and means that not all practical elements of subjects will be taught. As a result contingency plans are being developed for the medium term. If the works continue for a longer period any further plans will be shared with parents/carers as soon as practically possible.

We don’t yet know the total cost or full scale of the work, however given we’re looking at a new provision for the Forres ASG it’s likely the work undertaken will be in order to keep the school operational in the medium term rather than longer term.

The school staff have identified two phases of the contingency plan – one beginning on Tuesday 19 September and the second after the October holidays.

Monday 18 September will be used to reconfigure spaces within the school to allow areas to be used for classrooms that are usually non-teaching areas, such as the social area and games halls.

Tuesday 19 September will see S4-6 and pupils with additional support needs brought in while S1-3 continue with remote learning.

Wednesday 20 September S1-3 and ASN pupils will be in the building with S4-6 either on their college day or remote learning.

Thursday 21 September is the day we expect all pupils to be back in and using the spaces differently to how they’re used to. Thursday’s movement around the school and accessibility mitigations will be monitored to see if the full return is okay to continue until the October holidays. However, confirmation of whether Thursday will see a full or partial return (the same as Tuesday and Wednesday) will be confirmed by the middle of next week, depending on how the partial return has worked.

The initial test of all pupils being in school will determine if this arrangement can continue until school breaks up on 6 October. A further update will be issued at the end of w/c 18 September to confirm these arrangements.

When school returns on 23 October we expect to move to phase two of our contingency plans, the details for this will be confirmed prior to the holidays and shared beforehand.

We moved to remote learning as soon as possible during this week and from 18 September there will be a phased return to the school for all pupils, although some practical elements of subjects will not be able to be delivered up to the end of this term.

We’ve continued to support the use of Teams since the return from the pandemic so pupils and staff are well versed in remote learning. However, we are also procuring additional laptops, wifi and devices required to provide wider support for flexible learning spaces.

Families will be paid directly for 14 and 15 September for free schools meal entitlement. Those entitled to free school meals during the phased return next week will receive payment for the remote learning days and meals in school on days they’re in school.

Our structural engineers, Fairhurst, has issued a letter stating “the presence of RAAC at the first floor does not pose a risk to the re-opening of the ground floor of the school, except for the areas previously identified with RAAC at ground level.” (Drama and music corridor)

This letter has been sent to parents and is the basis of the reassurances the council has given to staff and the parent forum.

Stairwells have been cordoned off to prevent access to upper floors. There is netting around the fencing as an added precaution.

If restricted access is to be a more long-term measure a more substantial solution that looks better will be added.

Halls and gyms are now hosting seven teaching areas – the entrance to some of these is through fire exits. Pupils will be guided by staff and have routes explained on their first day back in the building.

One way systems are in place, similar to covid routes so it won’t be entirely unfamiliar to some pupils.

All of the routes and changes to the building, use of non-teaching areas etc have been fully risk assessed with the council Health & Safety (H&S) team approving the plans.

The flow through building will be monitored and assessed by H&S when pupils return, particularly on Friday with the 100% return expected.

Information around how the building is operating can be viewed at https://sites.google.com/my.glow.scot/forresacademy/parent-information/building-updates

Our structural engineers have stated the condition of the RAAC panels are generally good, although they have been weakened from potentially subsequent work to insert utility services and cabling.

So far, steel beams have been added to the panels to strengthen structural integrity of the concrete. This work was done before the update to the risk level.

Recommendations from the structural engineers will be received this week, it’s likely the area in front of canteen for access to hall will be top of the list for work. This will allow better, indoor, access to the main hall as it continues to be used for teaching purposes.

Medium-term options will be drawn up once the recommendations have been studied on the understanding that there isn’t an endless budget for repairs, particularly in the context of new school options being considered and accelerated.

Regular inspection will pick up any changes to the condition of the RAAC panels, Fairhurst recommend a monthly presence on site from engineers with each area being checked individually every three months. This is over and above what is in the Institute of Structural Engineering guidance, which is recommended as annual checks.

Moray Council has contacted SQA to let them know SQA level pupils have had disruption and to request a meeting about the special circumstances at Forres Academy this year. They await a date for that meeting but the school is working on contingencies, particularly for practical classes, for future phases of the return.

So far, teachers have been able to concentrate on theory in subjects like HE and science in the short-term ahead of the October holidays, however there will need to be an alternative for practical work after that.

The school team acknowledge there will be anxiety about the situation, change, unfamiliar routes round school and timetable changes.

The pastoral and wellbeing team will be on hand all the time around the school and will be going into classes.

Prefects, House Captains, welfare groups and rights respecting schools group will be involved in the return to school and supporting pupils.

Partner agencies are providing wellbeing support for staff and pupils locally and there will be QR codes for pupils to scan to complete a Google form at the end of the week with any concerns and feedback from their time back in school.

Based on pandemic experiences we are keen to return all young people to school as soon as we can with phased return moving to full return by Friday.  

Moray council and the school will continue to monitor situation and support all young people in terms of wellbeing and anxiety during this unprecedented situation.. Staff teams know young people well with supports already in place. 

Online learning would not be the first option. Consideration  of this would be based on very specific, individual requirements only.

Further clarification and updates on areas available for study will be sent out on the year group Teams and made directly to senior pupils by SLT.  Areas are available, with further support from subject departments to use spaces for study.  S5pupils timetables will continue to have designated study periods and S6 pupils will have the same flexibility as before.

Fairhurst have fully inspected building and taken action in relation to the areas now closed off or taken precautionary measures. We are now awaiting the final report which will support the prioritisation of work and planning for Phase 2 which will centre on the delivery of education.

Where lets cannot be accommodated at Forres Academy where they normally would have been, other venues including nearby Primary Schools will be considered.

A Fire Risk Assessment has been undertaken by relevant Health and Safety and Learning Estates colleagues in the council.  Any adjustments to evacuation routes have been made as required.  
Pupils have been briefed by the school and evacuation practice will be undertaken once all pupils have return/settled.

We are looking towards Phase 2 planning and on receipt of report from Fairhurst later this week/early next week we will have further information regarding rooms and future impact moving forwards.  

A range of options will be considered moving forward with all options appraised.  
Early planning is already underway which is looking at schools, venues and approaches to delivery of education to ensure young people are not disadvantaged due to recent events.

There are various options to voice your concerns including via the learningestate@moray.gov.uk, local elected members, Parent Council (feedback and Social Media), directly to the school via admin.forresacad@moray-edunet.gov.uk

Additionally there is information on the Moray Council website regarding the learning estate vision and events - http://www.moray.gov.uk/moray_standard/page_138258.html

Parents, carers and pupils can email learningestate@moray.gov.uk with questions about the ongoing situation.

These FAQs will be updated when there are new developments and decisions made.