RAAC recovery update for Forres Academy
Moray Council has issued an update on the status of Forres Academy following the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concreate (RAAC)
With the discovery of RAAC in Forres Academy in July 2023, and following further advice from structural engineers in mid-September, a phased plan of works was developed and agreed by Moray Council’s Property and Education teams and Forres Academy’s Senior Leadership Team, with the aim of recovering teaching space as soon as possible while ensuring continuity of education.
Work has been continuous since, with phase one and two now complete. This has entailed significant structural works being carried out promptly by local contractors, closely aligned with the school to minimise disruption to learning.
Phase three of the work addresses the recovery and repurposing of classrooms and remains on track with projected timelines. Drama classrooms on the ground floor are now fully back in use, plus technical workshops and five science labs on the first floor have now been successfully restored, allowing practical science classes to be delivered within the school again.
Home economics is the only practical class still being taught off-site but it’s anticipated that work on the new classroom should be completed by the end of April 2024. This should allow practical Home Economics to be delivered at Forres Academy again.
Senior leaders continue to monitor and review learning for all pupils and are proactively considering solutions and support to mitigate any lost time or learning.
The majority of prelim examinations are currently taking place at Forres House Community centre and discussions are ongoing as to whether this will also be the case for exams in May. More information regarding this will be issued to parents, carers, and pupils soon.
Chair of Moray Council’s Education, Communities and Leisure Services Committee, Cllr Kathleen Robertson, said: “I would like to thank every single person who is working within the school to help get it back and operating as closely to original levels. The progress made to recover so much of the schools teaching space and minimise disruption is fantastic. The entire staff and pupil’s response during this unsettling period is nothing short of outstanding and I commend everyone at Forres Academy for their continued resilience.”