Warning of Mental Health Impact
A headteacher leading a secondary school in Essex has voiced concerns that the ongoing upheaval caused by a school’s concrete crisis could have a negative impact on students’ mental health, akin to the challenges brought about by Covid-19 lockdowns.
James Saunders, head of Honywood School in Coggeshall, Essex, is apprehensive that the closure of 22 classrooms due to a nationwide safety alert, which resulted from the school’s use of aerated concrete roof panels, could be detrimental to year-seven students who are embarking on their first term in secondary school.
Mr. Saunders highlighted the critical nature of this period, as it marks the transition from primary to secondary education, which can significantly influence students’ mental well-being. He noted that the mental health of some students who began secondary school during the 2020 pandemic lockdown had already been adversely affected, and he fears a similar scenario repeating itself.
Rising Concerns About Child and Youth Mental Health
Recent UK government data from February and March 2021 indicates an increase in probable mental disorder rates among children and young people. These rates have risen from 12% to 17% for six to 16-year-olds and from 10% to 17% for 17 to 19-year-olds between 2017 and 2021.
Government Response and Wider Impact
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has promised to release a list of affected schools in response to the crisis. Ongoing inspections of the problematic material have revealed that it is now considered life-expired and susceptible to collapsing suddenly.
Many schools may have to disturb asbestos to access the problematic concrete, which necessitates specialist contractors and potential delays in reopening classrooms. At Honywood School, students across all year groups will have to rely on iPads for remote learning for at least part of the month. While temporary safety measures are planned, a permanent solution will eventually be required, impacting not only classrooms but also essential facilities like toilets and staff rooms.
The Broader Financial Challenge
This issue extends beyond a single school; it affects educational institutions across England and Wales. Repairing a single block constructed with outdated lightweight panels could incur a cost of up to £1 million. This raises questions about whether substantial investments should be made in schools from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, which may also suffer from leaks, wiring problems, and asbestos-related concerns.
Addressing this crisis comprehensively could drive costs into the hundreds of millions of pounds, at a time when capital spending on schools in England has been decreasing. In 2021-22, the Department for Education’s capital spending was approximately £4.9 billion, the lowest recorded since 2009-10.
Steve Chalke, of the Oasis foundation, which oversees 52 academies in England, expressed concerns that disadvantaged children would be the most affected by the disruptions caused by the crisis. He emphasized the inequality in access to education resources, particularly for families with lower incomes.
The school concrete crisis underscores the complex challenges facing the education system, where addressing structural issues competes with limited budgets and wider socio-economic disparities.
Kristine Andersen is a highly-regarded health journalist with over a decade of experience in covering a wide range of health-related topics. She has a deep understanding of the latest developments in medicine and has a talent for making complex medical concepts accessible to a general audience.