The Secretary of State for Education, the Rt. Hon. Gillian Keegan MP, has visited the Anglo European School in Ingatestone to see how the school has dealt with having to close its Sixth Form Centre after being advised in February about the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).
The Secretary of State was briefed by Anglo European School’s headteacher, Jody Gee, on the actions she has taken, in conjunction with the Department for Education and Essex County Council, to ensure sixth form students have had face to face teaching for all but two weeks of the time since the Sixth Form Centre closed. Use of ‘horizontal propping’ has allowed classrooms to re-open safely and two temporary classroom blocks have been sourced and installed on the school site.
Jody Gee stated: “I have felt incredibly supported by the Department for Education, Essex County Council and our local Member of Parliament, Alex Burghart, in dealing with what was, at the time, a shocking realisation that we would have to close our Sixth Form centre for safety reasons. It is rewarding to think that our school is now considered pioneering by the Department, for developing successful solutions to address this critical challenge.”
Alex Burghart MP, whose Brentwood and Ongar constituency has three schools affected by RAAC schools – Anglo European School, Lambourne School in Abridge and Chipping Ongar Primary School – has met with the Prime Minister, Education Secretary and other Ministers this week to discuss what actions will be taken now, and how they will be funded.
Alex said: “This is an unfortunate set of circumstances, but thanks to the amazing work by Jody Gee and her team at the Anglo European School we have a blueprint for how best to deal swiftly and effectively with the short-term impact of buildings with RAAC in them. Essex County Council has stepped up to the plate to offer a huge amount of support and good progress has been made. I know this experience will enable the County Council to assist in making the same progress in all affected Essex schools.” ENDS
