School closed due to building safety fears

A primary school in Nottinghamshire has been closed due to concerns over the safety of the building.

Parents of children at St Peter's C of E Junior School in Ruddington were informed on Tuesday evening via a letter from the head teacher.

It cited "significant structural issues" and said a risk assessment had led to the decision to shut the site with immediate effect.

Head teacher Michael Bradley said in the letter he was "devastated" by the news that the closure was likely to be "long-term", but the county council said all pupils had got a place elsewhere from Friday.

The school, in Ashworth Avenue, has about 360 pupils aged between seven and 11.

The letter sent to parents said issues were first noticed during routine maintenance by the county council.

It added: "Following a full risk assessment, the county council has now taken the difficult decision to temporarily close the school in order for pupils and staff to be kept safe.

"We have been informed that the closure is likely to be long-term."

Contingency plans were "likely to be in the form of using classrooms in local schools", the letter continued.

It is hoped temporary classrooms may allow children to attend the site in the new year.

Wayne Bexton, the county council's director of economy, environment and assets, said: "Following routine work to repair windows at St Peter's School, our team discovered some structural issues.

"Safety is always our number one priority, so following a full risk assessment, we took the difficult decision to temporarily close the school.

"All parents have been notified directly by the school, and we will continue to update them of the latest situation once we know more following further assessments.

"We thank everyone for their patience as we know this has been an unsettling time."

The authority also confirmed all pupils had been allocated a school place from Friday, with bus transport provided for those having to travel outside Ruddington.

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