Ellesmere Port school to build temporary classrooms after unsafe concrete find

School hopes to have the facilities up and running before the end of the year

A Cheshire high school hopes to have temporary buildings up and running before the end of the year after crumbling concrete was identified on site. Last week we reported that Ellesmere Port Catholic High was one of 43 sites that had been added to the list of UK schools and colleges found to have reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

In a letter to parents and carers - seen by Cheshire Live - which provides an update on the current situation at the Capenhurst Lane school, headteacher Caroline Vile said work on the foundations for the modular buildings will start next week. The temporary facilities will compensate for the loss of classrooms and spaces affected by the unsafe concrete.

She wrote: "In the last five weeks we have worked with the DfE and a modular building provider in order to provide the school with alternative solutions for all of the spaces and classrooms that have been affected. The work for these has now started and the foundations for the buildings will begin on November 3.

READ MORE: Unsafe concrete found at third Cheshire school as latest list revealed | Total number of UK cases rises to 214

READ MORE: Macclesfield Academy shuts part of the school as unsafe concrete found | It is one of 27 new schools to be added to the Government's RAAC list

"There will be a phased delivery and installation over the next six weeks with the aim that all buildings are in place and operational during the next half term. I would also like to make you aware of the support we have had from Justin Madders our MP, Gareth Gould the Mayor of Ellesmere Port and Vicky Beer the Regional Schools Commissioner who have all visited the school and offered their support in finding effective solutions quickly.

"It is very important to praise all our staff and students who have been so amazing during this half term, reflecting the school values and always being Ready, Respectful, Safe and Kind. We hope this information is both clear and informative and you are assured of your child's safety in school."

The letter, dated October 26, adds that the school will share more long-terms plans once "they become clear to us". Ellesmere Port Catholic High became the third school in the county to be impacted by the presence of crumbling concrete.

The total number of sites affected in the UK is 214 as of October 16, the Government confirmed. Previously, Sandbach School and The Macclesfield Academy were confirmed to have unsafe concrete on site.

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