Condemned school reveals plans for new site

Haygrove School An artist impression of a new school building. It is an 'L' shape, with pathways crossing in the middle.Haygrove School
The new site will be north of Spaxton Road in Bridgwater

A school which has been partially closed for nearly three years due to safety concerns has revealed plans for its new site.

The main building at Haygrove School in Bridgwater closed in 2023 after an inspection by the Department for Education (DfE) found it was structurally unsafe.

The DfE said the new school, which will be north of Spaxton Road in Bridgwater, will be open by September 2028, with the plans including a new sports and community space and transport facilities.

Head teacher Aaron Reid said the new design reflects the schools "shared ambition" and will support "students to achieve their full potential".

The plans also include a commitment to a net-zero building, with new landscaping and areas for biodiversity.

The now condemned school building was built by Caledonian Modular in 2020.

The DfE said two other schools built by the company - Buckton Fields Primary School, and Sir Frederick Gibberd College - had previously also been advised to close because of structural irregularities.

The construction company has since been dissolved.

Reed said he was "very conscious" of the schools history and "challenges that have shaped" its journey over the years.

"These proposals are about creating a school that is built to last providing high-quality, sustainable facilities that will serve generations of students long into the future," Reed added.

A grey two-storey building is in the background, behind a green field and play area.
Buildings at the old school were deemed to be unsafe and closed in 2023

Reed also said the plans had been developed with a "clear focus on delivering an environment that supports modern teaching and promotes wellbeing".

Chrysta Garnett, chief executive officer of Quantock Education Trust, said: "This project represents a transformational investment in the future of Haygrove School and the wider Bridgwater community.

"Our ambition is to provide a learning environment that matches the potential of our young people and supports them to thrive both academically and personally."

Parents and other stakeholders are encouraged to respond to an online consultation about the proposals and attend an event on 14 July at 16:00 at the current school building.

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