STUDENTS and staff at Aylesford School in Warwick are finally moving back into their school buildings next week after two and a half years of disruption.
Aylesford was one of around 100 schools across the country forced to close to pupils back in 2023 due to reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) being found in some of its buildings.
The material, widely used from the 1950s through to the 1990s is now “life expired” and can collapse with “little or no notice”.
Aylesford School’s 1,200 pupils initially had to carry out their school work from home and then in porta cabins set up in the school grounds.
But now the school has undergone a major transformation thanks to contractor Stepnell who has been working on the school since August 2024, creating 17 new classrooms, six science laboratories and prep room, IT suites and flexible learning areas, reception, student services and welfare facilities.
The work hit several setbacks along the way as asbestos was also found and major restructure works had to be carried out to parts of the building after its removal.
This meant the original completion date of November 2025 was delayed to June 2026.
A school spokesperson said: “Continuing to operate a live school alongside such an extensive and challenging project has been no mean feat and finally, after over two years of disruption we are reaching a milestone in this project. Throughout the programme, Stepnell have recognised the importance of getting our pupils and staff back into these teaching spaces, and they have worked tirelessly to complete parts of their works earlier where possible.
“Over January, the school has worked hard to ensure that all key facilities needed in the reinstated sections of the buildings are safe and working well. This includes furniture, equipment, signage, IT infrastructure, services and other health and safety compliance.”
Teaching will begin in the science labs on Monday (February 9) with all the remaining areas fully occupied for teaching after half-term.
The final areas of the school will then be completed and handed back by Stepnell in June. These include the assembly hall, further office spaces, the staffroom, meeting rooms, the gym and fitness suite, changing facilities, further student toilets and the design and technology and food technology spaces.
Aylesford have also been working with the Department for Education and Wernick on the removal of the temporary classrooms which have been in place since December 2023. This will be done during the Easter holidays.
