19-05-2025
Primary school in Helensburgh set to reopen after RAAC discovered
Lessons at John Logie Baird Primary School have been conducted in temporary buildings on the school's football pitch during the 2024/25 session while work has taken place.
Reinforced auto-enclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) was discovered in parts of the school in September 2023. John Logie Baird Primary was the only school in Argyll and Bute to contain the substance.
It was initially estimated that the remediation work would cost £3 million, while a freedom of information request in July 2024 found that the cost of the temporary classrooms was £580,000.
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The programme remains on course for pupils to return to the main building after the summer holiday – but early learning centre pupils will continue to learn at other venues.
A council spokesperson said: 'We're pleased that building works to remove and replace the roof are on track with children scheduled to return to the school building after the summer holidays.
'To minimise disruption for our younger children, they will continue to attend St Joseph's and Colgrain Early Learning Centres until after the October holidays. We have contacted parents and carers to let them know.
'We would like to thank everyone for their patience and support this year and look forward to the children returning.'
In a statement in September 2023 following the discovery of RAAC, the council said: 'Given the recent announcements and guidance changes, we continue to work with our structural engineering consultants to ensure mitigating actions are appropriate. The intention is to repair or remove the RAAC within 12 months.'
The same month, 16 Scottish local authorities confirmed the presence of RAAC in at least one of their schools.
Education secretary Jenny Gilruth said after the number was revealed: 'It is important that there is transparency around the schools where RAAC has been identified and mitigations in place. Local authorities were asked to publish the data relating to impacted schools in their area given the seriousness of this issue and to ensure this data is freely available.
'I hope this provides reassurance to parents, carers, staff and pupils who may be concerned about the presence of RAAC in their learning facilities. I also expect the local authorities still to publish to do so as a matter of urgency.'
