At least three schools in Enfield could have crumbling concrete.

Enfield Council confirmed today (September 6) that Winchmore School in Edmonton and St Ignatius College in Bullsmoor have identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) in parts of their buildings.

The authority said that a third school – Churchfield Primary School in Edmonton – had surveyors on site to assess if it is also affected.

It added that The Department for Education (DfE) was set to send surveyors to the school in the coming weeks, but said that there “is not a specific safety concern at this time”.

But the following day (September 7), a spokesperson for Ivy Learning Trust, which runs the primary school, said: “Due to the year it was constructed, Churchfield Primary School was inspected by qualified building surveyors, appointed by the Department for Education (DfE), on September 6 and no RAAC was found.” 

Winchmore School has identified crumbling concrete in a changing room and a corridor ceiling between the changing room and sports hall.

The council said that this area has been sealed off for some time, so “there is no danger to staff and pupils”.

The parts of St Ignatius College affected have also been sealed off. It is the only Enfield school that currently features on the official DfE list.

None of Enfield’s schools had been contacted by DfE over building safety concerns by the end of last week (September 1).

But a spokesperson for the council said today: “The health and safety of staff and pupils is our top priority and Enfield Council has been working closely with all local schools to identify whether they have been affected by the recent issues with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

 “We are aware of three schools impacted and can confirm that no schools have had to close. All Enfield schools were able to open for the return of the academic year.”

They added: “Enfield Council is not aware of any other schools in the borough that have been impacted.

 “This situation continues to unfold, and Enfield Council will continue to work closely with all our local schools to support them as fully as possible through this challenging period.”