Questions have been raised if any schools in Suffolk will have to close classrooms days before the start of a new term, following a new government announcement.

More than 100 schools, nurseries and colleges in England have been told by the government to close classrooms and other buildings that contain an aerated concrete that is prone to collapse.

In Suffolk it is not yet clear if any schools are impacted but parents will be contacted by their school if pupils are moving to a temporary location while remediation works are being carried out.

A Suffolk County Council spokesman said the council has not received any information on whether any schools in the region will have to be shut.

A spokesperson for the Department for Education said they will not be listing individual schools or regional breakdowns of those affected.

A “minority” of the state facilities will need to “either fully or partially relocate” to alternative accommodation while safety measures are installed, the Department for Education said.

Unions and opposition parties criticised the government for failing to take action sooner, as schools were being shuttered ahead of the return from the summer break.

Space in nearby schools, community centres or in an “empty local office building” was recommended for the “first few weeks” while buildings are secured with structural supports.

In guidance issued to schools, they were told that moving to pandemic-style remote education should only be considered as a “last resort and for a short period”.

East Anglian Daily Times: Education Secretary Gillian Keegan Education Secretary Gillian Keegan (Image: PA)

Education Secretary, Gillian Keegan, said: “Nothing is more important than making sure children and staff are safe in schools and colleges, which is why we are acting on new evidence about RAAC now, ahead of the start of term.

“The plan we have set out will minimise the impact on pupil learning and provide schools with the right funding and support they need to put mitigations in place to deal with RAAC.”

But the National Education Union (NEU) blasted the Government for expecting schools to pay additional costs for its “shocking neglect of school buildings”.