Government Branded ‘Incompetent’ over RAAC Crisis – Durham MP Calls for PM to Step In
A government minister has come under fire for insulting parents, teachers, and students at a school impacted by the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) crisis. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan faced criticism after stating that the decision not to intervene with exam results for key stage 4 and 5 pupils at St Leonard’s Catholic School in Durham was the right one, as doing so for one school would mean extending the same treatment to underachieving schools.
Nick Hurn OBE, the CEO of Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust, which manages St Leonard’s, expressed disappointment in the government’s response, calling it intransigent and extremely disappointing. He accused the government of failing the students and accused them of palming off the school’s concerns.
The Department of Education (DfE) recently confirmed that pupils at St Leonard’s Catholic School would not receive any exam dispensations, prompting Mary Kelly Foy, the Labour MP for Durham, to demand the Prime Minister’s intervention. Foy labeled the DfE’s handling of the situation dangerously incompetent.
Initially, the education ministers cited the exam framework and regulations as the reason for their inability to intervene without a change to the law. When questioned about a potential change in legislation, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan raised concerns about the government being forced to offer exam mitigation for schools deemed needing improvement by Ofsted, calling it a tricky situation.
One parent, Nicola Cook, whose child is a Year 13 student at St Leonard’s, criticized Gillian Keegan’s comments as shameful. Cook pointed out that the government had refused to acknowledge the impact of the RAAC disruption on the current exam cohort, despite overwhelming evidence supporting the claim. Cook questioned why the Secretary of State for Education was reluctant to help the pupils at St Leonard’s, suggesting it was because finding a solution for one school would require addressing education inequality across the board.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan defended her stance by emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the exam system. She argued against changing the exams based on the school’s rating and stated that exams should focus on testing what the person knows rather than what they couldn’t have known.
Acknowledging the assistance provided by Durham University and Ushaw College, the Secretary of State also expressed gratitude to the teachers at St Leonard’s and stated that they would be working together to explore long-term solutions.
St Leonard’s Catholic School was forced to close on August 31, 2023, after the discovery of RAAC in its construction, making it the most affected school by the decaying material and asbestos. A study conducted by Durham University recommended inflating grades by up to 10% for exams this summer due to the exceptionally disruptive circumstances faced by the school.
CEO Nick Hurn, OBE, rejected the Secretary of State’s reasoning for not intervening, emphasizing the objective evidence of damage caused by the disruption. He expressed shock and extreme disappointment at the government’s response, stating that it disadvantaged students’ future life chances.
As construction continues on a temporary site with limited resources and support, the news that allowances will not be made for GCSE and A-level students at St Leonard’s has sparked outrage among pupils, parents, and the wider community.
St Leonard’s recently informed parents that they hope to stop using their sports hall as a teaching space by the end of April 2024, with plans to finalize a permanent site in June 2024. These developments would provide better facilities and resources for subjects like engineering, music, science, and sports.
Responding to the comments made by the Secretary of State, Kevan Jones, the Labour MP for North Durham, called them insulting to teachers, parents, and pupils. Jones emphasized the impact of the RAAC crisis on students, stating that a failure in leadership resides in Westminster, not in Durham City.
With tensions rising and frustration mounting, the call for the Prime Minister’s intervention grows louder. Mary Kelly Foy, along with concerned parents, teachers, and students, awaits a resolution to the ongoing crisis, urging the government to prioritize the well-being and educational prospects of the affected students.
The Department for Education’s handling of the RAAC crisis at St Leonard’s Catholic School has sparked widespread criticism, with allegations of incompetence and disregard for student welfare. As this issue continues to unfold, the Prime Minister’s intervention may be crucial in finding a fair and effective solution for all parties involved.
