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, these can be viewed at the link below.

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, with further works planned for the 2024 summer holiday period.

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, these can be viewed at the link below.

March 2024 Reports