More than 350 Rushcliffe pupils will move to other schools after the sudden closure due to structural issues being found.
Parents of children attending St Peter’s CofE School in Ashworth Avenue, Ruddington, were informed of the school’s closure on Tuesday 9 December in a letter signed by the school’s headteacher, Michael Bradley.
The letter reads:
‘Tuesday 9th December 2025
‘Dear families
‘Earlier this year, the County Council undertook routine work to repair our windows and fascia boards. However, they have now, unfortunately, discovered some significant structural issues impacting the school building.
‘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.
The Council are now putting together a contingency plan in order to ensure that all of our pupils are able to attend a school setting between now and Christmas. This is likely to be in the form of us using classrooms in other local schools. I hope that I will be able to inform you of these plans tomorrow but can confirm that Year 3 and Year 4 will be at James Peacock Infant School from, hopefully, Thursday.
‘In the New Year, the Council are hoping that temporary classrooms will be in place so that our school can be altogether again on one site.
‘I’m sure, like me, you will be devastated by this news. As you can imagine, it is currently an ever changing picture and I will continue to update you as new details emerge.
‘Thank you
‘M Bradley
‘Headteacher’
Peter McConnochie, Director of Education and Inclusion at Nottinghamshire County Council, said in a statement that more than 350 pupils will be placed at other local schools or facilities, including James Peacock Infant School, Cotgrave Candleby Lane School, Radcliffe-on-Trent Infants and Nursery School, or the Rushcliffe Spencer Academy.
He said: “A school bus service will be provided for pupils travelling outside Ruddington.”
Cllr Andy Brown, who also represents Leake and Ruddington, says he has “every confidence” in council officers’ handling of the closure and that children will be back on site in the New Year in temporary classrooms.
Mr McConnochie’s statement confirmed every St Peter’s pupil will have a place to learn from Friday (14 December).
Wayne Bexton, Director of Economy, Environment and Assets at Nottinghamshire County Council, said in a statement: “All parents have been notified directly by the school, and we will continue to update them on 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.”
