Wellsprings Primary School in Taunton will see its existing hall, currently deemed “at significant risk of collapse,” replaced by a new £500,000 modular structure, Somerset Council has confirmed. The school hall, situated on Crowcombe Road in the northern part of the town, was originally built using the Orlit construction method – a prefabricated reinforced concrete technique widely used in school buildings between the 1950s and 1970s.
Over recent years, the materials in the hall have deteriorated significantly, resulting in the hall being declared off-limits to both pupils and staff. Consequently, the school has faced a shortage of space for essential activities including assemblies and physical education lessons.
A structural engineering inspection identified concerns with the Orlit roof beams and planks, which are known to degrade over time and can pose a risk of falling debris. Due to potential movement within the structure, strict health and safety restrictions have been imposed, making routine use of the hall unsafe without protective measures. This has rendered the hall unsuitable for use, impacting the school’s operations considerably.
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“This has removed the school’s only suitable internal hall space, preventing its use for PE, assemblies and wider school activities and events, and creating a significant operational issue that now needs to be resolved by the installation of a standalone modular unit,” stated Nicola Johns, the council’s lead building surveyor.
In response, Somerset Council has approved a budget of up to £500,000, entirely funded by Department for Education grants, to construct a new modular building. The replacement facility will offer 150 square metres of space, be fully wheelchair accessible, and equipped with electric panel heaters, protected lighting, electric sockets, and a reinforced floor for durability.
The new hall will be located on the Tarmac playground adjacent to the main school building, near Taunton Green and the residential area of Cheddon Road. The modular unit is intended to serve as a dedicated multi-purpose space for physical education during poor weather, assemblies, and various school events.
The council emphasised its responsibility under the Education Act 1996 to provide safe and well-maintained learning environments within walking distance of pupils' homes. Unlike academies, which manage their own facilities, Wellsprings remains under direct local authority control, making the council responsible for funding the repairs and replacements.
The council has not provided a specific timeline for the installation of the new hall, but the move aims to restore a vital communal space for the school and its pupils. The modular building is expected to remain in place until a permanent solution is established.