Two schools containing potentially dangerous concrete named by Highland Council
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Two Highland schools containing a potentially dangerous concrete have been identified.
They are Charleston Academy and Nairn Academy which have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) components in their construction.
It comes amid growing concerns across the UK about the use of RAAC which is liable to crumble.
Highland Council said engineers have not identified any areas at potential risk of collapse in the two schools.
A report in The Times stated dozens of Scottish school buildings are at risk of collapse with local authorities facing a bill for hundreds of millions of pounds to remove RAAC.
Its investigations identified at least 37 schools in 11 areas but it said the true number was likely to be higher with investigations ongoing across the country.
A Highland Council spokesman said the local authority has two secondary schools – Charleston Academy and Nairn Academy – which have RAAC components in their construction.
"These schools are subject to regular and ongoing inspection by consultant structural engineers who have not identified any areas that are at potential risk of collapse," he said.
"This is kept under review to ensure the safety of all building users.
"A replacement school building for Nairn Academy is included in phase two of the Scottish Government's Learning Estate Investment Programme announced in December 2020, with capital funding for the project included in the council’s current capital programme."
The spokesman continued: "A design masterplan has been prepared that sets out a long-term strategy for the redevelopment of the Charleston Academy campus and the eventual replacement of all of the existing buildings.
"The masterplan is based on a new school building that can be constructed in a phased manner and funding for the first phase of the redevelopment is also included in the council’s current capital programme."
