Teaching in Raac school back to normal - teachers

Temporary buildings have restored normal learning, say teachers

Pupils have returned to a secondary school that was found to have a type of concrete at the centre of safety concerns.

St Leonard’s Catholic School in Durham was forced to close in September due to the presence of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

Pupils have since been taught in various places such as PE hall and a hotel.

But the installation of temporary classrooms has led to a “normal school environment again", one teacher said.

Deputy Head Teacher Katie Darmody said: “The pupils are all in classes of 30 now and we’re back on one school site."

Although the classrooms are temporary, and due to be replaced by new school buildings in 2026, the staff say they do not have a temporary feel.

"They have interactive whiteboards and the highest level of technology. We have air conditioning in all the classrooms," said fellow Deputy Head Teacher Vicky Curry.

"The pupils are really pleased to be learning in that normal school environment again."