Following the Department for Education’s (DfE) decision to deal with Reinforced Autoclaved and Aerated Concrete (RAAC) in all schools, staff and pupils at both St John Vianney Catholic Primary in Newcastle and St Columba’s Catholic Primary in Wallsend, have found themselves in new, temporary schools.
Temporary classrooms have, however, come a long way from the ‘mobiles’ of the 1990s and the modern and well-appointed temporary schools, which the DfE provided in only eight weeks over the summer break, have gone down well with staff and pupils alike.
Headteacher Rachel Quinn at St Columba’s said, “Children and staff love the temporary building. It is clean, modern, and spacious. They love the library space, new water fountains and access to our forest area”.
The new school is bright and warm, with staff particularly “enjoying the new IT equipment and interactive screens” added Miss Quinn.
Having recognised the move to new temporary accommodation would take some getting used to, Miss Quinn allowed the whole community to visit the new building before the children returned. Miss Quinn said, “We celebrated with ‘welcome back’ banners, balloons, and a special assembly.”
The temporary building was purpose built as a school and was transported in sections to be assembled on site. As well as eight classrooms for pupils (Nursery to Year 6), the space includes a hall, a library, two offices, staffroom, meeting room, group activity area and a kitchen.
Regarding their moving from the old building, Miss Quinn said, “In June of 2023, the school was immediately closed and remedial works were carried out to make the building safe. Children were temporarily educated off-site and split across other schools within the Trust.”
Although the old building was made safe, and children returned to school, discussions between Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust (BBCET) and DfE led to a decision that St Columba’s Primary would move into a temporary structure on the school field whilst plans for a new school were considered.
The DfE continues to meet with the Trust and Miss Quinn as they review the future needs of the school. The precise timescale for the necessary procurement and planning processes are not yet agreed.
A spokesperson for BBCET said, “The Trust is very happy with the manner in which the DfE has handled all aspects of the school’s move to temporary buildings and the excellent ongoing communication it has had had regarding the potential new build.”
They added, “BBCET welcomes the speed and proactivity of DfE colleagues locally and nationally in addressing the needs of our schools.”
Sent on behalf of Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust and Barking Dog Media. For more information contact david@barkingdogmedia.co.uk or call 07754 271086.
Images below are re-produced with the kind permission of Kate Buckingham Photography.
