Every school in Greater Manchester affected by concrete fears amid warning HUNDREDS more could be hit

Hundreds of schools across the country could be affected by a dangerous crumbly concrete, according to the Education Secretary.

Gillian Keegan added that around 1,500 schools have yet to return surveys as the new school year kicks off this morning. Currently, 104 schools are understood to be built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) - but the true number could be much higher.

RAAC is a lightweight material used to build roofs, schools, colleges and other buildings from the 1950s until the mid-1990s. But it now poses a collapse risk as it reaches the end of its shelf life, according to experts. The government says this specific type of concrete has now been classed as an immediate safety risk as it has the potential to suddenly collapse, and schools have been instructed they must take instant action if it is identified.

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Currently, six schools in Greater Manchester are understood to be affected by RAAC. These are:

St Bernard's RC School, Bolton

Sale Grammar

Altrincham College,

Canon Slade High School,

St William of York Catholic Primary School, Great Lever

All Saints C of E primary, Newton Heath

Of these, St Bernard's RC School is understood to have been forced to delay the start of term. The school said in a letter to parents and carers the decision was 'bitterly disappointing', but the safety of children was 'paramount'.

St William of York Catholic Primary School in Great Lever has also delayed its start date. The school 'is putting up temporary support structures and staff hope to reopen to as many pupils as possible on September 11.'

All other affected schools have put 'mitigating measures' in place, with