Losberger De Boer’s Response to the RAAC Crisis for Schools Across the UK
Losberger De Boer was at the forefront of the RAAC crisis, working with the Department for Education to provide schools with fast, practical solutions, creating safe temporary learning environments.
The RAAC crisis has caused more than 230 schools across the UK to partially or fully close over concerns related to Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
We have been at the forefront of the crisis, providing fast and practical solutions to create safe temporary learning environments. These solutions included classrooms, office space, canteen and multi-purpose halls, ensuring students could return to school quickly with minimal disruption.
What did we do?
Between August 2023 and January 2024, we built 7 temporary facilities for schools across the south of the UK. From small classroom blocks to larger school campuses, we were able to provide a unique solution for each school, depending on their circumstances and requirements.
Why could we do it?
Historically, coming from the event world, we are well set up to deliver projects at the last minute and at speed. Our extensive work delivering emergency space and business continuity solutions has also enabled us to work under extreme pressure and in significantly difficult circumstances.
These strengths positioned us perfectly to help the schools with our ability to get on-site and propose a solution within a couple of days and start building within days or weeks.
What are the benefits of using semi-permanent structures?
Speed of Deployment: Semi-permanent structures can be erected quickly, often within days or weeks. This speed is critical during emergencies when immediate action is needed to provide students with a safe learning environment.
Cost-Efficiency: Constructing traditional buildings for temporary use during emergencies or renovations can be expensive. Semi-permanent structures offer a cost-effective alternative, allowing educational institutions to redirect resources towards educational programs rather than construction expenses.
Adaptability: These structures are highly adaptable, making them suitable for various purposes. Semi-permanent structures can be customised to meet the specific needs of the educational institution.
Sustainability: Many semi-permanent structures are designed with sustainability in mind. They are made from eco-friendly materials and can be reused or repurposed, reducing their environmental impact.
Minimised Disruption: During renovations, using semi-permanent structures allows the educational institution to continue operations without significant disruption. Students can stay on-site, maintaining a sense of continuity and stability.
Longevity: While considered temporary, semi-permanent structures are built to last. They can continue being used for years, even after the crisis or renovation has passed.
What does the process look like?
Case Studies
Temporary Canteen for The Gilberd School
Just days before the new term was set to start, this school was told it had to close half of its building. Losberger De Boer arrived quickly on site and delivered a full solution in around 4 weeks.
Our solution?
We created a temporary canteen facility using our Kubo structure. The structure was 15 x 30m with additional containers incorporated onto the sides of the structure to create kitchen facilities.
This required a bespoke design to seamlessly attach the containers to the main structure, ensuring the layout was correct for the kitchen staff and the general flow of the canteen.
We worked closely with the kitchen staff to ensure that the layout would work for them so the interior could be fitted out with all the necessary equipment. We also finished it off in the school's brand colours to keep the temporary space in line with the old canteen.
Client Testimonial
The Finance Director, Nicola Elliott, provided the following testimonial about her experience working with us.
“The RAAC problem has caused us to lose our kitchen and 2/4 of our dining areas. We have 1600 children, and we've literally lost half the building.
The initial meeting was with the Department for Education, Losberger De Boer was mentioned as they had created facilities at Sir Frederick Gilbert School in Harlow.
The actual build took less than 2 weeks. We’re really pleased at the speed in which they’ve done it. They've adapted to us, enhanced the building in our school colours, we've talked to them at all times regarding building control and making sure accessibility and safety is a priority. Having a kitchen on site will give us the opportunity to feed all our students, enabling us to provide hot meals and another area for them to sit and eat and socialise as well.
Working with Losberger De Boer has been very easy. They've been talking to us at all times, our staff who are walking past have been welcomed in to have a look at the facilities. They've worked with our kitchen staff who have visited to ensure that the layout works for them, it has been really easy, incredibly professional and a pleasure really.”
Long-term Semi-Permanent School Facilities for St Cleres School
Like many schools across the UK, St Cleres were informed by the DfE on the last day of the summer term that they had RAAC and would have to close their main building. This resulted in 40 of their main teaching spaces being closed and forced the school to deliver remote learning while they found a solution.
Our Solution?
We created 3 large buildings using our Delta structures to give the school a number of classrooms, offices, breakout spaces and a large, acoustically fitted multi-purpose hall.
Losberger De Boer Thermal Acoustic System (TAS)
Our TAS was installed in the multi-purpose hall space to ensure the acoustics of the room were suitable for assemblies and noise generated from sports activities was contained to this hall specifically. Secondly, the system doubles as a thermal lining, keeping the room at a suitable temperature, whether in the warm summer or cold winter months.
Tarmac roads and pathways
The finished project boasted tarmac roads and paths, giving the school easy access to the buildings and creating a more permanent, 'finished' look and feel to the campus.
Client Testimonial
Sharon Jenner, Executive Headteacher OCAT, said, “We looked at some of the solutions that Losberger De Boer had already placed and they’ve offered us a brilliant solution here on the school site. We’ve got 3 buildings, giving us 26 classrooms and a large breakout space that is going to enable us to bring all the students back into face-to-face education.
Losberger De Boer has been really effective, very efficient, highly organised and it’s been a really good project for us as a school.”
Conclusion
With our vast experience in emergency space provision and a proven ability to act quickly under pressure, we have been able to ensure that students across the UK returned to safe learning environments with minimised disruption.
Our team continues to work closely with educational institutions, reinforcing our role as a trusted partner during times of crisis.
A message from our Managing Director, Mical De Boer
“We are very proud to deliver the solution for the RAAC crisis at speed, with creativity and commitment to the schools.”
With over 100 years of experience, our rapid response in emergency situations remains a pillar of our business. You can leave the stress to us, knowing you are in a safe pair of hands.
Email: sales.uk@losbergerdeboer.com
Phone: 01280 846500
