A combination of visual and physical surveys undertaken by independent structural engineers revealed that RAAC has been identified in Northfield Academy, Hazlehead Academy and St Machar Academy. None of the authority’s primary schools are impacted.

RAAC is a lightweight material which was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s.

For each of the three secondary schools, the structural engineers provided a detailed management strategy setting out their recommendations for the immediate and longer-term management of the RAAC in these school buildings.

Northfield Academy

RAAC was found in several areas of the school and while no immediate remedial work was required, the future removal of the RAAC roof panels and replacement of the roof deck with an alternative will incur significant costs.

This is not currently budgeted for and would cost significant disruption to the running of the school while repairs are carried out.

Following the report before the Education and Children’s Services Committee yesterday, council officers have been instructed to carry out a detailed options appraisal for the long-term future of Northfield Academy and include a view to providing a solution on how to deal with the presence of RAAC in the school building.

Officers must include an update within the next annual update to the School Estate Plan, which is due to go before the committee in September 2024.

Hazlehead Academy

The inspection found RAAC present in several areas of the school site.

Following advice from the engineers remedial work was undertaken in an outbuilding where there was evidence of historic damage to some of the roofing panels. There were no immediate concerns for any other part of the school site and engineers advised that no further remedial work was required. Longer-term the areas affected will continue to be monitored regularly until the planned replacement of Hazlehead Academy has been completed and the existing building has been demolished.

St Machar Academy

The presence of RAAC was found in one small area within a roof access stairwell. While no immediate concerns were raised, following advice from the engineers and as a precautionary measure, a temporary structure was constructed within the affected area to ensure the area can continue to be used safely. It is anticipated that the complete replacement of the affected roof will be carried out in Summer 2024.

Councillor Martin Greig, convener of the Aberdeen City Council Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “All school buildings in the city were inspected by independent structural engineers to find out if any had aerated concrete in place. The Council agreed to introduce management policies in the three secondary schools where this kind of concrete was discovered. Immediate remedial work was carried out where required. The three affected schools will continue to be monitored.

“A feasibility study into the long-term future of Northfield Academy will be carried out. Progress with this work will be reported back to committee in September 2024. It is important to keep parents, carers, the young people and the community informed.”

Councillor Jessica Mennie, vice-convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee, said: “It is important that we prioritise our school estate and react to need within our school buildings as they appear. What’s most important is that we also ensure any work we do within our schools, is done in tandem with our school communities and the young people as we must do it in a way that works for them.

“I am confident that parents and carers will be reassured following the RAAC update to the committee today.”

Having been dealing with RAAC since late August 2023, the council’s Schools Estate Team has been forced to delay work that they were scheduled to oversee.

The School Estates programme of works which have been revised are:

• Bucksburn / Newhills additional primary provision
• Northfield Associated Schools Group excess capacity
• Victorian School Building Improvements
• Loirston Loch Additional Primary Provision
• St Peter’s RC School Refurbishment

Councillor Greig said: “The various projects in the School Estate Plan continue to be evaluated during the course of each year.

“Some details in the timeline have been adjusted because of changing circumstances. The aim is to ensure that we have a realistic programme of upgrades and maintenance according to the resource that is available. Updating the Plan is important to make sure we are addressing the learning and care needs of all young people across the city.”

Councillor Mennie added: “The delivery of the revised School Estate Plan will allow the Council to continue to meet its statutory obligations to ensure that there is efficient education provision available to all our children and young people living in Aberdeen.”