TEMPORARY classrooms have been removed and the majority of a special needs school re-opened - a year after suspected crumbling concrete was discovered in a national alert.

Children at Kingsdown School, in Snakes Lane, Eastwood, have been learning in temporary classrooms since September 2023 after 50 per cent of the building was forced to close because of Raac.

The school, which provides care for children with additional needs, was left operating out of just ten classrooms and crucial facilities including the music room and catering spaces were shut.

Now, the SEN Trust which oversees the school has confirmed that mitigation works have been completed which mean the majority of the school is now open again.

Despite the good news, bosses are still waiting to find out the next steps included in the Government’s rebuilding programme.

Chief executive of the trust, Jackie Mullan, said: “We are pleased to say that the vast majority of the ‘mitigation’ works for the Raac have been completed by ACL, the company of builders we employed.

“The main parts of the school are usable, and pupils and staff have moved into their classrooms this September. The temporary classrooms and areas were removed during the summer holidays.

“One area which is still being finished is the school swimming pool, including the changing rooms and corridors. We hope to have the pool fully operational soon, once all safety checks are completed.

“The school remains part of the phased re-building programme from the Department for Education, but this is still some time off.

“All pupils and staff have had a good positive start to the school year and are pleased to be back in their tidy and usable school.”

Alongside the reopening of the majority of the school, a new headteacher has also been introduced.

The new headteacher, Lisa Stroud, has replaced former head, Louise Robinson.

In a statement to parents, Ms Stroud said: “It gives me great pleasure to introduce myself to you as the headteacher of our excellent school and to welcome you on behalf of our pupils, staff and governors.

“I feel both privileged and honoured to lead Kingsdown School.”