Unsafe school could be shut for up to five years

Sacred Heart in Barrow was evacuated after a building inspection in January 2023

Pupils who had to leave their primary school because it was unsafe may not be able to return to the building for up to five years.

The Department of Education (DfE) said work to repair the 120-year-old Sacred Heart Primary School in Barrow-in-Furness could take between three and five years.

In the meantime it said it was installing temporary buildings complete with libraries on the site in Lumley Street and at another school.

Headteacher Simone Beach said staff and pupils were "rolling up their sleeves and getting on with it" and thanked the community for its "tremendous support".

Pupils had to quit the school in January 2023 after building inspectors said the ground floor was unsafe.

Some of the children are travelling by coach every day to St Bernard's High School in Barrow.

Others are being taught in Portakabins in Sacred Heart's playground.

Headteacher Simone Beach said: "We were told to get out immediately.

"At the time we just rolled up our sleeves and got on with it saying to ourselves: 'we can do this'.

"But I did not think for one second we'd be in the same position 17 months down the line."

Children from Sacred Heart sharing a history lesson with St Bernard's pupils

The DfE said it was installing a temporary building in the playground at St Bernard's.

It added that, from January, nursery, reception, Year 1 and 2 would be in a temporary building at Sacred Heart.

PE Teacher Jack Peet said staff had managed to make sure children's education remained on track.

He said: "Nothing can ever prepare you for the challenges we are facing every day.

"Like getting on the bus in the mornings and afternoons. Having toilets outside, setting up classrooms in libraries and in corridors.

"Ultimately the goal is that children's education is uninterrupted as much as possible."

Ms Beach said children were making the most of the outdoor space at St Bernard's

The DfE also said the school had been "prioritised" for work through the school building programme.

Mrs Beach added: "I feel pleased that our situation seems to be moving forward.

"We have relied on the kindness of our community and town to get us through this challenging time."