The principal of a Newcastle-under-Lyme school among those affected by crumbling concrete has moved to assure parents the site has been made safe.

Sir Thomas Boughey Academy, in Halmer End, is one of more than 140 schools nationwide which has been identified by the Department for Education as having reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). It is the only school in Staffordshire on the list and remains open for face-to-face lessons – unlike dozens that have been forced to fully or partially close.

RAAC is a a type of concrete which was popular in construction between the 1950s and 1990s. Days before the end of the summer holidays, concerns were raised there could be dozens of school buildings at risk of collapse due to the end of the material's shelf life.

And now Jane Hingley, Sir Thomas Boughey principle, has issued a statement to reassure parents the school had already taken action and made the site safe.

She said: "Sir Thomas Boughey is one of the education settings affected, but we have already taken remedial action to replace the RAAC panels which were present in some roof constructions.

"You may remember that our hall and some classrooms were closed for this repair last year.

"A small amount of RAAC is also currently being removed from our boiler house, which has been made safe during this process.

"We appreciate the concern this may raise, and as always prioritise the safety of your children and our staff. We have been proactive and already made safe or replaced all RAAC."

The government's handling on the situation has drawn criticism from opposition politicians – including Adam Jogee, who is standing as the Labour candidate for Newcastle-under-Lyme at the next election.

Mr Jogee said: "The defining image of 13 years of the Conservative-run education system will be children sat under steel girders to stop the roof falling in. This crisis affects many more schools than they were initially led to believe.

"I'll be writing to the Department for Education seeking clarity on how many other schools in the region may be at risk."

Staffordshire County Council is still carrying out checks on the schools it is responsible for (Staffordshire County Council).

Bridget Phillipson, Labour's shadow education secretary, said: "Conservative ministers, including the current schools minister, did away with Labour's Building Schools for the Future programme, which would have rebuilt more schools across North Staffordshire.

"The chickens have come home to roost. It is time for the prime minister and this shambolic Conservative government to take responsibility for the mess they have made and get a grip of this crisis."

Newcastle MP Aaron Bell said the safety of pupils and teachers was the government's top priority and that he had been in touch with the Department for Education over the issue.

He said: "The only school in my constituency with a confirmed case of RAAC, Sir Thomas Boughey Academy, is able to remain fully open for face-to-face teaching for all pupils.

"I have been in contact with the Department for Education about the school since this story broke last week, and I am assured that they have a dedicated caseworker to assist them.

"However, I am very pleased that the school has already completed the vast majority of the work required last year, and I thank Mrs Hingley and all her staff for the proactive work they have done to make sure that their pupils' education is unaffected.

"This shows the critical importance of the surveying programme the government has been carrying out over the last 18 months."

Meanwhile, the county council said it did not believe any of the schools it is responsible for contained RAAC, but was continuing to carry out checks.

Cllr Jonathan Price, cabinet member for education at Staffordshire County Council said: "The safety of pupils and school staff is our top priority, and we have already carried out an initial assessment on the 126 local authority maintained schools in Staffordshire.

He added: "The majority of schools in the county are academy schools who are responsible for their own buildings, and we have offered advice and support to them on this issue."

The county council is only responsible for 126 of the 404 schools in Staffordshire. The rest, including Sir Thomas Boughey, are run by academy trusts.

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