Luton school which suffered concrete damage to welcome students back 'before half term'
The structure of the school building was deemed unsafe before Christmas
Last updated 25th Jan 2024
Concerns were raised at Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Luton before Christmas after cracks were found inside a building.
The building, dating back from the 1960s, was made with hollow concrete blocks, which have now shown signs of deterioration.
Structural engineers visited the school in December, before deeming the building to be unsafe.
"...there is disruption to on-site learning, but we're making great headway and we're working very well with the constructors..."
The school had to adapt quickly, with the establishment closing temporarily and lessons going online.
Headteacher at the school, Andrew Bull, said: "I'm very impressed with the speed of work, such so that we're looking to have the whole school back before half term."
"All positives at the moment, even though there is disruption to on-site learning, but we're making great headway and we're working very well with the constructors and the DfE."
"We prioritised exam year groups to get them into school, so year 11, 12 and 13 before Christmas..."
The school has been in regular contact with the Department for Education and the local authority with weekly update and progress meetings.
Mr Bull said: "The Department for Education are very impressed with how speedily the St Thomas Catholic Academies Trust, which we are part of, has dealt with the situation and put plans in action."
"We prioritised exam year groups to get them into school, so year 11, 12 and 13 before Christmas, and then since Christmas, we've had a rolling programme of all the other year groups."
The school has been supported throughout this time and both students and teachers have proved understanding of the situation.