AN EVALUATION of school buildings in the Vale of Glamorgan to determine if any have were built from a potentially-dangerous form of concrete is still to be completed - BUT school will remain open as normal.
The Vale Council say they are working with the Welsh Government and local authorities to complete a full evaluation of all council buildings, including schools.
The news comes in the wake of the concrete crisis that affected hundreds of schools in England.
Reinforce Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a building material used from the 1950s up to the mid-1990s on public buildings - including schools.
The concrete is aerated, making it weaker than regular concrete.
At the end of August, just as kids were returning to the classroom after their school holidays, it was revealed more than 100 schools in England needed to shut or put safety measures in place.
In Wales, so far two schools in Anglesey have been identified as having RAAC - Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi.
Infrastructure is a devolved power and the Welsh Government say it has commissioned a condition survey on all state-funded schools. However the report is still to be finished.
Vale Council says it is working with authorities to complete evaluations, with the survey to be finished shortly.
Until then, schools are open as normal.
“All schools in the Vale of Glamorgan will open as normal for the new term,” said a spokesperson for the council.
“We are working closely with Welsh Government and other local authorities to complete a full evaluation of all council buildings, including schools, and expect this to be completed shortly.”
RAAC crisis hits Wales after decimating English schools
Two schools on Anglesey have been identified as having RAAC - Ysgol David Hughes and Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi.
There is said to be no immediate risks or concerns, however both schools will temporarily close and safety inspections will be carried out.
The Welsh Government say it is undertaking further work to verify the position across Wales, with results to come within the next two weeks.
On the incidents in Anglesey, minister for education and the Welsh language Jeremy Miles said: “Our main concern is the safety of pupils and staff.
“Since we became aware of these developments, we have been working urgently with local authorities and WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) to make sure pupils and staff can go back to school safely.
“We’re making these decisions together to keep staff and pupils safe.”
On the issue of RAAC at Welsh schools, the government previously said: “Earlier this year we commissioned a condition survey of all state-funded schools and colleges which will identify any structures suspected of containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete.
“We will continue to work closely with the WLGA (Welsh Local Government Association) and local authorities on this issue and will provide an update once the survey has been completed.”
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