Clinics for asbestos concerns

More than seventy parents of Cwmcarn High School pupils made appointments to talk to doctors about the potential dangers that their children may have been exposed to.

She basically came home from school and said 'Mam I've been sat in a classroom with a hole in the wall and an asbestos sticker on it'. I mean this was back just before they broke up for the summer. And then the testing was done. What will happen next year? Will the school reopen or will they pull it down? We just don't know.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

An investigation published yesterday into Cwmcarn High School says asbestos in the roof may have been blown by the heating system and airborne fibres were 10 times higher than the accepted levels. Today special health clinics are being held for concerned parents and pupils.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

Health Clinics will be held today for pupils and parents to discuss their concerns after asbestos was found at Cwmcarn High School.

This health concerns clinic will provide students and families with the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have with public health professionals on a one to one basis.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

Special health clinics will be held today for pupils from Cwmcarn High School and their parents to discuss asbestos concerns.

The clinics have been organised by Public Health Wales, Aneurin Bevan Health Board and Caerphilly County Borough Council.

It comes after the school was closed following an investigation which discovered asbestos in the building.

The clinics will take place between 12pm - 7pm at Risca Rugby Club.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

A report into the extent of asbestos found at Cwmcarn High School says it poses a threat to health and the school should be demolished. Caerphilly County Borough Council are holding a meeting today to consider what the next steps should be.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

The National Union of Teachers says that recent concerns about asbestos exposure in Welsh schools highlights the need for investment in school buildings. They say pupils continue to be taught in dilapidated buildings that are not fit for purpose.

In almost every community in Wales you will find schools in dangerous and unhealthy conditions. This is having a noticeable and detrimental impact on education services.

Cwmcarn High School was recently shut down when asbestos was discovered in the main block and 900 pupils had to be relocated.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

Pupils from Cwmcarn High School, which was closed more than three weeks ago due to concerns over asbestos, are returning to classes today - 12 miles away in Ebbw Vale. 20 coaches are picking them up from the Cwmcarn school this morning to take them to the Coleg Gwent campus.

They will be based there until the end of the academic year, which Caerphilly County Borough Council estimates could cost more than £1,400,000.

The school closed on Friday 12 October, after a structural report raised concerns over unsealed or damaged asbestos, and asbestos debris.

Year 10, 11, 12 and 13 pupils have since had lessons in the school's performing arts block. Younger pupils, though, are back in lessons for the first time today. The school has wanted to keep all pupils together.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

A special meeting of Caerphilly County Borough Council has voted to move all pupils from Cwmcarn High School to another site in Ebbw Vale for the remainder of the academic year. The school has been closed for ten days following asbestos fears.

Rhianon Passmore is the Cabinet Member for Education, and she says the council remains committed to resolving the issue.

• Education
• Cwmcarn

A special meeting of Caerphilly County Borough Council has voted to move all pupils from Cwmcarn High School to another site in Ebbw Vale for the remainder of the academic year. The school has been closed for ten days following asbestos fears.

The council says there is asbestos present in the construction of a number of the school buildings. A structural report found the majority of it is sealed and in good condition, but some debris was discovered in voids and some asbestos product is unsealed or has some damage.

This means there is potential for asbestos fibre to be released.

Further investigations are taking place to find out the extent of the problem and the work needed to address it. The council estimates that correcting it could cost millions of pounds.

• Education
• Cwmcarn