Temporary classrooms brought into Wakefield school after pupils sent home over rotten roof

Students are to be temporarily sent home and temporary classrooms brought into place at Wakefield school after work on a leaking roof uncovered large amounts of rot.
It was confirmed last week that Sandal Magna Community Academy had closed to pupils in four year groups after contractors found large amounts of rot in the roof of the building. Photo: Google MapsIt was confirmed last week that Sandal Magna Community Academy had closed to pupils in four year groups after contractors found large amounts of rot in the roof of the building. Photo: Google Maps
It was confirmed last week that Sandal Magna Community Academy had closed to pupils in four year groups after contractors found large amounts of rot in the roof of the building. Photo: Google Maps

It was confirmed last week that Sandal Magna Community Academy had closed to pupils in four year groups after contractors found large amounts of rot in the roof of the building.

The school had originally planned to move Years 5 and 6 into temporary accommodation while the work was carried out.

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But after conferring with the builders, it was decided that two classrooms were unsafe to use, and many students were sent home.

In a letter to parents, Kevin Jones, CEO of Enhance Academy Trust, which runs the school, said: "The main roofing works have been completed in the nursery/reception block but a few additional supports to the internal roof gutter have been fitted whist the work on the gutter is finished.

"The repair works needed to the main classroom block are more extensive and I am not prepared to proceed with these works and allow pupils into these classrooms whilst the works are being undertaken.

"I have agreed with Wakefield Council that two additional classrooms will be made available next to the Years 5 and 6 temporary classrooms but these will not be ready until Monday 5th October.

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"In the meantime we have to restrict the number of pupils we have in school at any one time as we have two classrooms less than we need.

"I would have preferred not to have to write this letter but I have to make sure that staff and pupils are safe whilst these building works are completed and the changes outlined above enable us to do this."

As a result of the changes, Reception and Nursery pupils will return to school tomorrow (Wednesday, September 23), and Year 1 and 2 students will remain at home with home learning packs until Monday, September 28.

Year 3 and 4 students will then be sent home from Monday, September 28 until Friday, October 2, with home learning packs in place.

All pupils will return to school from Monday, October 5, with Year 3 and upwards in temporary classrooms on site, while contractors continue work on the affected block.