A government minister recently visited The Blue School in Somerset after the school was forced to close part of its building due to severe structural damage. Baroness Barran, the Department for Education minister with responsibility for school buildings, met with school officials to discuss the action plan following the structural concerns identified over Christmas.
Accompanied by MP James Heappey and Department for Education officials, the minister inspected the affected buildings and potential sites for temporary accommodation. Mr. Heappey expressed gratitude to the minister for the support and reiterated the commitment to minimize disruption to the students' education.
The closure of 20 classrooms in the Kennion Block came after significant cracking was discovered in its concrete floors during routine checks. Although unrelated to concerns about Reinforced Autoclave Aerated Concrete (RAAC), the structural defects in the 1950s building prompted swift action.
READ MORE: Celebrating the Success of Peasedown St John Primary School
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Headteacher Mark Woodlock confirmed the seriousness of the issue, stating that the structural integrity of the building had been compromised, leading to the closure of the affected area and the need for potential temporary classrooms.
As the school continues to navigate the challenges, uncertainty looms over the future of the Kennion block, raising questions about the duration of temporary measures and the long-term planning needed to address the situation.
