A JUNIOR school has confirmed it will remain closed next week as its roof contains potentially dangerous concrete.

St Andrew’s Junior School, in Church Road, Hatfield Peverel, said it is one of more than 100 schools across the country where reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) is present in its buildings.

The Government told schools yesterday to close buildings where RAAC, which is prone to collapse, has been used.

In a letter sent to parents today, the school confirmed it is “working very closely” with the Department for Education and Essex County Council to make alternative arrangements.

Headteacher Becky Black wrote: “We have been assured that because of our situation we are a priority for having relocatable buildings arrive on site as quickly as possible in order to allow face-to-face learning to begin.”

She added Tuesday will now be an inset day while teachers prepare for a “short period of online learning” using Google Classroom.

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The letter continued: “I appreciate that this news is shocking and incredibly disappointing for everyone in our St Andrew’s family.

“We were all really looking forward to the start of term and welcoming our children and new families back to school.

“Please trust that we are all working as hard and as quickly as we can in order to have our whole school back on site as quickly as possible.”

Mrs Black confirmed there are no concerns regarding the buildings at the Hatfield Peverel Infant School and Nursery.

Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin said he understands 65 schools across the county are affected by RAAC, potentially making it the worst affected area of the UK.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb told GB News: “I know parents and children will be frustrated by this but our paramount concern is the safety of children and staff in those schools.”