PUPILS are being sent home from a Raac-affected school in Scotland after "new information" was found by contractors.
Pupils at Forres Academy will be the first in Scotland affected by a school closing due to the concrete, also known as reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, which is understood to be a collapse risk.
Almost 40 schools in Scotland containing the potentially dangerous concrete have been named by councils, with more than 147 hit in England.
So far in Scotland, part of the St Kentigern’s Academy estate in Blackburn has been closed, including the kitchen and dining area, following the discovery of Raac, while Preston Lodge High School in East Lothian has also closed impacted areas.
However Forres Academy will be closing fully and sending all pupils home for virtual learning due to its latest findings, Moray Council announced in a brief statement on Wednesday night.
A spokesperson said: "Due to receiving new information on the Raac at Forres Academy from our structural engineer contractor, the status of the level of risk has been updated.
"There is no indication of deterioration to the Raac panels within the school and the change of level has been dictated by a change of advice and guidance received from the contractors.
"Pupils will move to remote learning on Thursday and Friday this week to allow staff to prepare to implement contingency plans. A full update will be provided on Friday to inform parents and pupils of those plans."
Commenting on decision taken to close Forres Academy, Moray’s SNP MSP Richard Lochhead said: “Whilst the hopefully short closure of Forres Academy will cause unwanted disruption to pupils and families, the safety of the whole school community obviously must come first.
“I’m in touch with Moray Council seeking an urgent update on plans for works in the school and have sought assurances that these works will be completed as quickly as possible.”
Other public buildings are now being surveyed across the UK to establish whether the concrete is present. The Scottish Government pledged to spend "what it takes" to make buildings safe, but no new money is coming from Westminster to assist with repairs where they are needed.
Last week Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville accused UK ministers of spreading “unnecessary alarm amongst parents, staff and children”, by announcing more than 100 schools in England would close or partially close due to the concrete, without communicating the change with devolved governments who also have the substance.
