Condemned school to be rebuilt by September 2028

Haygrove School's main building was built in 2020 and closed in August 2023

The headteacher of a Somerset school which has been partially closed for nearly two years due to safety concerns says it is "exciting" it is going to be completely rebuilt.

Haygrove School in Bridgwater wrote to parents on Tuesday to say the Department for Education (DfE) had formally confirmed the school would move to a new site and said it had been designated a "priority project".

Headteacher Aaron Reid said: "We're really excited for the community, excited for the children and excited for everyone in Bridgwater really."

Most of the children had been taught in temporary classrooms after the main building was condemned in August 2023.

The letter to parents said: "This marks a significant milestone for our school and the Quantock Education Trust following an intense period of lobbying for improved facilities for our students and staff."

"This substantial investment in the Bridgwater area promises to positively impact local families for generations.

"The new site will feature carbon-neutral, state-of-the-art facilities and resources, providing a long-lasting, enhanced learning environment that supports both academic and personal growth."

Parent Siobhan Wilson, who has twin daughters in Year 8, said her children would receive the whole of their secondary education "blighted" by the temporary classrooms.

The Queenswood site is on the western edge of Bridgwater, within Haygrove's catchment area

"They were just about to start Year 7 when the school was closed," said Ms Wilson.

"The teachers have done their best - absolutely none of it is their fault - but they're lacking sports facilities and the other facilities they would've had in their lovely new building."

"With them talking about 2028 for opening it's very unlikely that my two will see it, let's hope they build this next one properly."

"I do think it has had a bigger impact than it has been appreciated on the children, I really do," she said.

Haygrove has more than 1,000 students aged 11-16 years old

An inspection by the Department for Education (DfE) found Haygrove's main building, which was constructed in 2020 by Caledonian Modular, was unsafe due to issues with structural integrity and "poor workmanship".

Its sudden closure led to some children missing lessons or being forced to learn at other sites, ahead of temporary classrooms being installed.

Mr Reid added: "The reality is we have faced something incredibly difficult together. I wish it had never happened and I do agree those responsible do need to be held to account for what they've done."

"However, my role in this is trying to focus on the future," he said.

Education Minister Stephen Morgan had confirmed he was "committed to rebuilding Haygrove School" during a visit last December.

With the condemned building so close to the temporary classrooms, there were concerns it would be too noisy and unsafe for students to continue to learn there if the school was rebuilt on the same site.

The new Queenswood location is a greenfield site within the school's catchment area, which was previously considered by the school for development in 2010.

Mr Reid said: "It's just on the edge of Bridgwater. It's a really fantastic site and much bigger than the one we currently have."