Nottinghamshire County Council is being asked to approve a £6.4 million interim “learning village” at St Peter’s Junior School in Ruddington after the sudden closure of the existing building due to structural concerns.
A report to the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Asset Management on 26 March sets out the latest estimated cost of £6,445,340 for the temporary facility, which is intended to provide a short-term teaching environment while plans for a permanent replacement school are developed.
The school was forced to close on 14 December 2025 after routine maintenance identified serious structural issues linked to the Derwent/Hallam construction type and the age of the building. All 350 pupils were relocated to alternative education settings within 48 hours, in a response praised by the Department for Education.
The council has a statutory duty to ensure there are sufficient school places for children in Nottinghamshire, and the project forms part of its wider School Places Programme aimed at maintaining capacity across the county.
The interim learning village is being developed on the existing school site and will consist of four modular buildings. These will include classroom blocks, a hall, kitchen and dining facilities, as well as a dedicated special educational needs unit with group and nurture rooms. The site has been designed with accessibility features such as ramps and level access, alongside security measures including controlled entry, lighting and CCTV.
Infrastructure works have also been required, including a new electricity substation, upgraded drainage, and foundations to support the modular buildings. Temporary arrangements such as a trackway car park and upgraded access bridge are being installed, with elements designed to support the eventual construction of a permanent replacement school.
The report states that the interim solution is intended to be operational by April 2026, allowing pupils and staff to return to a single, stable site after several months of disruption.
The total cost includes £6.1 million for building works, £299,778 in professional fees, and £31,872 for furniture and equipment. Funding will initially come from the council’s existing School Places Programme, with the Department for Education having committed to support both the interim scheme and the longer-term rebuild. Any shortfall would be met from the council’s Basic Need allocation, which could affect other planned school expansion projects across Nottinghamshire.
Council officers state that the modular approach offers a faster and more certain delivery compared with traditional construction, reducing risks such as weather delays and enabling a quicker return to normal schooling. The report notes that while the buildings are not intended for long-term use, the approach represents value for money in the context of an emergency, by maintaining education provision and avoiding the continued use of temporary arrangements such as split sites or extended travel for pupils.
Doing nothing was ruled out as an option, as existing temporary arrangements are only sustainable in the short term and have already led to other schools operating over capacity and pupils travelling longer distances.
Plans for a permanent replacement school are still under negotiation with the Department for Education. Once funding is confirmed, feasibility work and design development will begin, with further reports expected to be brought forward before construction can proceed.
• Urgent talks with Education Secretary over Ruddington school rebuild
The Cabinet Member is being asked to note the emergency response, approve the interim learning village to completion based on the latest cost estimates, and agree to progress feasibility work for the permanent replacement school subject to funding confirmation.
