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MP calls building work timescale 'very regrettable'

Clara Bullock
BBC News, Somerset
BBC The main building at Haygrove School ed by scaffolding and wrapped in plastic to protect the students who are mainly working in temporary buildings on the school site.BBC
Haygrove School was forced to close its main building due to its faulty construction and could move to a new site by 2028

A local MP says it is "very regrettable" that the predicted timescale to rebuild part of a secondary school in Bridgwater means that some students will have to learn in temporary classrooms for their "whole school life".

Haygrove School was partially shut in August 2023 due to safety concerns. Since then, lessons have taken place in non-permanent classrooms.

Conservative Bridgwater MP Ashley Fox says he hopes construction will begin in autumn 2026, subject to planning permission, and be finished by September 2028.

The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed a feasibility study to build a new school at Queenswood Farm is "on track" to be completed by the end of this year.

Mr Fox said: "All I can do is to promise to keep pushing the government to move as quickly as they can because it's not acceptable that pupils and staff are working in this temporary accommodation."

"It's not good for their education", he said.

The Tory MP says that just like "all the students and teachers", he wants them in their new school and hopes that the works are completed "as quickly as possible".

A spokesperson for the DfE said high quality and sustainable buildings are a key part of raising school standards.

"We have increased investment to £2.1bn this financial year to improve the condition of school buildings, on top of the continuing the School Rebuilding Programme," the spokesperson added.

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