School Estate Management

Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC)

We have two schools that are known to have buildings that contain RAAC components in their roof and wall construction; these are at Charleston Academy in Inverness and Nairn Academy.

We reacted in response to the further guidance that was issued by the Institution of Structural Engineers in April 2023 and engaged a firm of Chartered Engineers (Civic Engineers) with the required expertise and experience to undertake detailed investigations and assessments at both schools during the 2023 summer holiday period. A contractor was also appointed as soon as practicable to carry out the works required to allow reoccupation of the affected areas.

We received the first reports from Civic Engineers in August 2023.

August 2023 Reports

Critical remedial works were either completed by the start of the new school session, or the areas made secure so that they were not accessible, to allow both schools to reopen with minimal disruption in August 2023.

Further remedial works to areas that were categorised as either High or Medium Risk have been ongoing since then. As a key requirement is to avoid further water ingress, various repairs and replacement of roof coverings have been completed. 

Civic Engineers have been retained throughout this process for the ongoing surveys and remedial works. Regular inspections and assessments will be required on an ongoing basis, and an inspection regime in line with the recommendations in the reports has been put in place.

Civic Engineers issued further reports in March 2024.

March 2024 Reports

Latest Update January 2025

Further mitigation works were completed during the October 2024 holiday period at Charleston Academy and Nairn Academy. There will continue to be regular surveys and inspections to monitor the situation and identify any areas of deterioration that may require additional mitigation works for the remaining life of the buildings. These works have significantly improved the safety and functionality of the affected areas, and the inspection regime will ensure that any future issues will be promptly addressed to maintain the integrity and safety of the buildings.

Charleston Academy

The mitigation works at Charleston are complete and all affected areas have returned to normal operations. The following are the key activities undertaken as part of the mitigation programme at Charleston:

• secondary steelwork was installed to extend the bearing width of beams supporting RAAC planks throughout the buildings
• additional steel supports were installed in isolated areas affected by historic water ingress
• all roof coverings over areas containing RAAC elements that had evidence of roof leaks have been replaced, with further work planned to other roof areas
• specialist sealant was applied to RAAC external wall panels of the buildings

Nairn Academy

The nature of the existing steel frame design has resulted in an extended programme but the works in the highest risk areas are now complete. The remaining works will be undertaken during the Easter holiday period and the Engineer has advised that the existing inspection regime is a satisfactory risk control measure in the meantime.

The ongoing inspections will ensure that the condition of the building structure is closely monitored until the new school building is completed in 2026.

Find further information on the new build project on the School Estate Management Nairn Academy page.

The following are the key activities undertaken as part of the mitigation programme at Nairn:

• secondary steelwork was installed to extend the bearing width of beams supporting RAAC planks with some isolated areas still to be attended to
• additional steel supports have been installed in isolated areas affected by historic water ingress
• specialist sealant was applied to RAAC external wall panels of the buildings where they are accessible. Some isolated areas at second floor level remain to be completed