For students at Clevedon School in North Somerset, the era of attending classes in tents is drawing to a close. Since 2023, when HAC—a material with structural concerns similar to RAAC—was detected in their school building, many pupils have been educated in two large marquees pitched on the school field.
Now, a significant change is on the horizon. On May 14, North Somerset Council’s planning committee unanimously approved plans for a temporary two-storey building containing 24 classrooms. This structure will replace the marquees and serve the school for approximately four years while a permanent new school building is constructed.
Tom Quill, representing the Department of Education which submitted and funded the application, emphasized the necessity of the new building. He stated, “This facility is essential to ensuring the ongoing delivery of education in a safe, comfortable environment.” Quill also noted that the marquees were only intended as emergency, short-term shelters and were never designed for extended use.
Council members recognized the importance of the decision. Hannah Young, representing Clevedon South (Labour), described the approval as “critical,” while Clare Hunt from Nailsea Youngwood (Labour) commended the efforts made to sustain education under challenging conditions. She expressed hope that the new temporary building “will be an effective intermediate solution and that the school will ultimately receive the facilities it deserves.”
Parents have actively engaged with the planning process. Many submitted supportive comments, highlighting the drawbacks of the marquees. One parent described how children endure uncomfortable temperatures—freezing in winter and sweltering in summer—and the lack of soundproofing disrupts lessons. Another observed that the tents’ poor conditions are negatively affecting their children’s learning experience.
However, the plans have also faced objections. The proposed temporary building requires the removal of the school’s long jump pit and running track, vital facilities for student athletes. Concerned parents voiced their distress, with one lamenting the loss of critical training grounds and the potential impact on aspiring Olympic athletes. Another warned that without these facilities, young athletes might be forced to abandon their sporting pursuits.
North Somerset Athletics Club initially opposed the plans but later withdrew their objection after securing a commitment within the planning permission conditions that the athletics facilities will be reinstated promptly. Tom Quill explained that the long jump and track are uniquely suited for these purposes due to existing infrastructure and that alternative sites, such as football pitches, are more heavily used and less appropriate.
The marquees must remain in place during construction to maintain ongoing classes, preventing the new temporary building from being sited on their footprint. A planning application for replacement athletic facilities is planned to be submitted within the next three months, ensuring that sports facilities remain an integral part of school life.