School hall reopens after 16-month Raac closure

The only school in Norfolk which had to close part of its building because of crumbling concrete has opened its refurbished school hall.

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found at Thomas Bullock Primary Academy in Shipdham near Dereham, just before the start of term in September 2023.

After deep cracks were discovered in the hall's roof, it remained off-limits for 16 months – with assemblies, meals, PE and collective worship relocated to classrooms and an outdoor marquee.

Headteacher Shannon O' Sullivan said she was "over the moon" now that reconstruction work had finished and the building was now safe.

"The hall is vibrant, bright white, full of light from the windows streaming in," she added.

"We're delighted that our children can come together again as a whole community."

The Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, which runs the school, said refurbishment work on the building had cost £663,000 - which the Department for Education (DfE) had refunded.

The school was initially told to close the hall on 31 August 2023 so that engineers could carry out safety checks.

They found that the roof was badly damaged, and deputy head Nick Wade was shocked when he was able to see "cracks throughout it" up close.

"One of the construction team was able to just break off a piece with his bare hands," he said.

"We suddenly felt really, really glad we were out of the hall and we were not having children inside it."

After three months of lunchtimes, assemblies and sport lessons being confined to classrooms, a marquee was erected on the school playing field.

But that came with its own challenges – cramped, and often too hot or cold, depending on the weather.

"When we were in there for assembly, we were all squashed up together," said Rosie, from Year 5.

"It was hard," agreed fellow Year 5 pupil Harry, who was delighted the hall was now back in use.

"We didn't always get to do some of the PE we were meant to do in the curriculum. It's a lot better that we can do gymnastics and all that again."

Mrs O'Sullivan said that with the school unable to hold open days – and some parents having concerns about the state of the building – intake for this year's reception class was down by 10 pupils.

Primary schools receive at least £4,610 per pupil – and with Thomas Bullock running classes up to Year 6 – she said the school would be £300,000 worse off over seven years.

"It's a huge ongoing loss for our school," she said.

"Obviously we have to make sure how we budget that appropriately."

She said she was hopeful that the DfE would provide additional financial support for the school.

The DfE has been asked for comment.