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Department for Education (DfE) has published updated guidance for responsible bodies of state funded education estates in England that have confirmed or suspected reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in their buildings.

The guidance advises responsible bodies to vacate and restrict access to the spaces with confirmed RAAC. Spaces should remain out of use until appropriate mitigations are in place, even where they would have been deemed ‘non-critical’ previously.

This guidance is for leaders and staff in:

• local authorities (for community, voluntary-controlled schools, foundation schools and maintained nursery schools)
• academy trusts (for academies and free schools)
• governing bodies (for voluntary-aided schools)

It is also for school and college leaders, staff and governing bodies in further education colleges and designated institutions, sixth form colleges, maintained schools, academies and free schools, pupil referral units, city technology colleges, non-maintained special schools and maintained nursery schools.

This guidance does not cover:

• independent schools
• out of school settings
• maintained nurseries
• independent training providers

Where RAAC is confirmed or suspected in these settings, leaders and relevant responsible bodies may want to consider the principles and approaches set out in this guidance in relation to managing their buildings and the mitigating actions necessary to ensure continuity of provision.