A Tower Hamlets school has been forced to close over fears around crumbling concrete.

It was announced yesterday (September 15) that Stepney All Saints School in Stepney Way, which has been open since the start of term, would be sending students home until further notice.

It comes after new guidance from the Department for Education raised concerns about autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) at the school.

Raac, lighter and less durable than traditional concrete, was used until the mid-1990s but the Health and Safety Executive said it is now beyond its lifespan and may collapse with little or no notice.

A note on the school’s website said: “The school is closed until further notice.

“All lessons will be taking place online and staff are available via email.”

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council said: “Following evolving guidance from the Department for Education, Stepney All Saints School has been advised to temporarily close until further notice, due to concerns around Raac concrete.

“We are supporting the school to reopen as soon as it is deemed safe, and to ensure any disruption to learning is kept to a minimum.

“Parents and carers are being kept up to date by the school.”

A list published by the Department for Education (DfE) showed that at least 147 schools nationwide have been affected by Raac.

Stepney All Saints School has been contacted for more information about the closure.