School facing demolition gets a glowing report from Ofsted

A PRIMARY school has been given a glowing inspection report by Ofsted - despite it facing a “long-term” closure with pupils being relocated.

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

Parents of children attending St Peter's C of E Junior School in Ashworth Avenue, Ruddington, were told the “devastating” news in December after serious structural issues were identified.

A letter signed by the school’s head teacher, Michael Bradley, explained that Nottinghamshire County Council officials were carrying out routine work to repair windows and fascia boards when the structural problems were found.

The council plans to open a short-term “learning village” for students by March and has written to the Government to request urgent funding to demolish the unsafe building and rebuild it. In the meantime, pupils will continue to have a place at other local schools or facilities.

These include James Peacock Infant School, Cotgrave Candleby Lane School, Jesse Gray Primary School and Millside Spencer Academy.

But a month before the school was shut, Ofsted inspectors visited the site and found an environment where “pupils are happy and thrive”.

Following the November 11 visit, Ofsted’s report was published yesterday that heaps praise on both staff and pupils.