More pupils to return to Haygrove School after building issue

The start of term was delayed for pupils at Haygrove School in Bridgwater

More students are to return to a school which had its main building declared unsafe in the summer.

The start of term was delayed for pupils at Haygrove School in Bridgwater, Somerset, after government inspectors intervened.

Year 11 students returned in September and headteacher Aaron Reid has now confirmed Year 10 pupils will return for the spring term.

Mr Reid said he was "delighted" that students can return to a five-day week.

The firm that constructed the building, Caledonian Modular, went out of business in 2022, prompting the Department for Education (DfE) to check the safety of Haygrove and several other schools.

An inspection found Haygrove School's main building, which was constructed in 2020, was unsafe and it was shut immediately.

Two other schools built by Caledonian Modular were demolished before construction was completed and two others have been advised not to reopen because of structural irregularities by the DfE.

It is a separate issue to the 156 schools in England affected by aerated concrete (RAAC).

'Robust monitoring system'

The letter sent to parents this week says the school will soon be ready to open temporary accommodation, return to five-day week for all students, return to standard timetable of one-hour long lessons and re-introduce after-school clubs and other activities.

Mr Reid ensured parents that the quality of education "continues to uphold the highest expectations" for students.

The letter said: "We have a robust monitoring system in place to identify gaps students may have and we will continue to work with students to build their subject knowledge."

A spokesperson for the school said they were not aware of any changes to plans for student's summer exams because of the disruption.

They added: "We are not aware of any change in plans for the summer exams for our students.

"However, we continue to advocate strongly with Ofqual and the DfE, as well as with individual Exam Boards to ensure they are aware of the increased challenges our GCSE students have faced."

The DfE has not yet said whether the main building can be repaired or if it will have to be demolished.