Four Stockport schools will receive support from the UK Government to permanently remove reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) from their estates. 

The four schools are Bramhall High, Cheadle Hulme High, Marple Sixth Form, and St Thomas’ Primary School. 

A further 230 schools affected by RAAC will receive similar support, although the nature of that support will vary. 

For some schools, such as Bramhall High and St Thomas’ Primary, one or more of the school buildings will be rebuilt as part of the government’s School Rebuilding Programme. 

For others, including Cheadle Hulme High and Marple Sixth Form, the government will award a grant to the responsible body, which will enable them to remove RAAC from the setting. 

Buildings affected by RAAC closed in August 2023 following revised government guidance (Image - SWNS)

The Government's School Rebuilding Programme is expected to last 10 years, with priority given to schools with the highest conditional need. 

Paul Williams, headteacher at Bramhall High School said he was ‘delighted’ with the news.

He added: “Whilst no further details or timescales have been released, we can all agree this is the best result for the school and will see significant improvement in the learning environment in the coming years.”

Similarly, Paul Sanchez, headteacher at St Thomas’, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to welcome our whole school family back into our school and we are so grateful to our children and staff for the incredible resilience they have shown.”

St Thomas' Primary is one of the schools to be included in the School Rebuilding Programme (Image - Stockport Council)

Speaking earlier in the month following news that Bramhall High had been added to the rebuilding programme, Cheadle MP Mary Robinson said: "I am delighted that Bramhall High School has been selected as one of [the] schools to be included in the Schools Rebuilding Programme.

"After starting the campaign for Bramhall High School to be included last year I am pleased the Government has backed my campaign."

Cllr Tom Morrsion - Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Cheadle - also started a petition to encourage the government to rebuild the school.

Commenting on news of the rebuild, Cllr Morrison said: "This is great news and truly deserved after all the work from local campaigners, parents, staff and Liberal Democrat councillors in the area.

"The Liberal Democrats on Stockport Council have been pushing Government to get Bramhall High on the rebuild programme for sometime now, and I am delighted the Government has listened.”

Out of the 234 schools receiving support, 119 will have one or more buildings rebuilt or refurbished. Bramhall High is included in this 119 (Image - SWNS)

Speaking more generally of the rebuild programme, Cllr Wendy Meikle, cabinet member for children, families and education at Stockport Council, said: “This announcement will give reassurance to everyone that the schools will be able to continue in their top priority of giving the children a wonderful education in a safe and secure setting over many years to come.”

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said: "Nothing is more important to me than the safety of every child and member of staff in school. 

"We will continue to work closely with schools and colleges as we take the next step to permanently remove RAAC from affected buildings.

"I want to thank all schools, colleges and local authorities who have worked tirelessly with the department to ensure all children remain in face-to-face education."

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