Urgent work to install a temporary school at St Peter’s Junior School in Ruddington will begin this week, Nottinghamshire County Council and Arc Partnership have confirmed in a letter to local residents.
The move comes following the school’s closure just before Christmas after structural issues were discovered during routine maintenance. The main school building was later permanently closed on safety grounds after detailed investigations showed problems that could not be repaired, prompting plans for a temporary learning village and longer-term rebuild.
In a letter, Arc Partnership said pupils are currently being taught at locations across the county thanks to the support of local schools. However, from next week residents will notice increased activity at the St Peter’s site as heavy goods vehicles and site teams begin preparatory works for the temporary school. Traffic and noise are expected to be higher than usual until Easter, the letter states.
The council apologised for the short notice and stressed it will take steps to keep disruption to a minimum, including managing traffic, keeping noise low wherever practicable and carrying out regular road sweeping. Residents with queries have been directed to contact the council’s property services team by email.
More than 350 pupils were moved into other local schools at the end of the autumn term after the sudden closure. In December Nottinghamshire County Council confirmed the main building closure and outlined plans for a new temporary learning village next to the existing site, scheduled to open early in the spring term. Parents have been assured that the school admissions process remains unaffected.
Councillors and the local MP have expressed support for the council’s response, and community leaders have thanked neighbouring schools for accommodating pupils in the interim.
Work to erect the temporary classrooms and infrastructure will be overseen on-site by Arc Partnership teams, with residents advised to expect increased vehicle movements and activity from Monday 19 January through to Easter.
Nottinghamshire County Council has said it will keep residents informed as the project progresses.
