The full reopening of Aylesford School has been pushed back as safety issues around the buildings continue to be addressed.

Only Year 7 and 12 pupils were allowed to return to the Tapping Way school last week due to a number of issues needing "immediate specialist attention".

The remaining students had been expected to return tomorrow (September 12) but the school has released another update saying this will not be possible.

"Unfortunately, a combination of building materials including asbestos were discovered during the upgrade of the fire alarm system," it said.

"In addition, there are potentially RAAC [Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete] issues which also need urgent attention. 

"As a result, we have now been instructed at very short notice that we are unable to reopen all of our buildings on Tuesday 12 September as previously communicated.

"This is not a decision that we take lightly or indeed one that we can do anything to avoid.

"The decision is one that is necessary to manage both potential risk and ensure that all members of our school community remain safe."

The school said the areas on site which have reopened are "safe and free of any issues".

The primary school - which was built in 2015 - has not been affected by the closure, and all primary year groups returned last Tuesday (September 5).

All other pupils will have work set for them online to complete at home.

"We are sorry that this has not been the start to this school year that was originally planned, but please be assured that the team and I are working hard to overcome these challenges and the disruption which has been caused to our students and families," the statement added.

"We will be in regular communication with you next week as we work to re-establish lessons for all our students.

"Once again, please accept our apologies that this is not the start to the term we had planned for our students and their families."

Last week, Warwick's MP criticised the Government for not taking action sooner to address the issues around RAAC in schools across the country.

"Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have done nothing to address a problem that they have known about for years," Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington Matt Western said.

"The first act of the Conservative government in 2010 was to axe Labour's £56 billion schools rebuilding programme.

"Even in 2020, when it was estimated that 300-400 schools a year would need significant works or re-builds, the Government agreed to just one hundred.

"That figure was then reduced to 50 by the then chancellor, Rishi Sunak.

"More broadly, parents deserve to know where these schools are, what ministers knew about this dangerous concrete and what they plan to do to minimise yet more disruption to children's education."