MARLING SCHOOL has released a statement following the closure of one of its buildings.

Just days before the new academic year, more than 100 educational settings in England were told by the government to fully or partially close because their buildings contain the collapse-prone concrete.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) – which is a lightweight building material used from the 1950s up to the mid-1990s – is now assessed to be at risk of collapse.

A building at Marling School has closed as a precaution after the material was found in one area of the school. 

Marling headteacher Glen Balmer said: "Our school is open to all students. 

"The area affected by RAAC, which includes two design technology classrooms, will be closed at the start of term (Wednesday, September 6) to ensure everyone's safety, while remedial work is planned and implemented. 

"During this period, the school's design technology team are developing solutions to ensure their full curriculum is effectively delivered. 

"As the rest of our large campus has been confirmed free of RAAC, the school will otherwise be functioning as normal.”

A spokesperson for Gloucestershire County Council said:“We are continuing to work with the Department for Education and are in the process of further surveying our Local Authority schools in Gloucestershire.

“Surveys on the highest priority buildings have been completed with no evidence of RAAC being present and we are working hard to ensure all other surveys are completed as soon as possible.”