RESTORATION work at Rudheath Senior Academy is on track for completion by Christmas, after the project team overcame major problems threatening the build.
The school was badly damaged by an arson attack in February 2018, with the perpetrator sentenced to 15 years in prison for his actions.
Work began towards the end of the 2018/19 academic year, with the school making do on reduced space with an anticipated completion date of this month.
MARCH 2019 >>> Rudheath Senior Academy arson repair work begins
However, due to the age of the building, unexpected problems including unsupported floors – and the underground services they exposed – led to more work than anticipated.
Headteacher Ana Roslan has taken the lead on the rebuild, which she says is equally about taking the opportunity to make improvements.
She said: “We have had to replace all the flooring in that ‘T’ of the building.
“They have had to get all the services out from underneath the floor, take all the internal walls down and fill it in.
“It’s been an absolutely enormous job of work, and we now have floors where we had holes but it’s taken tonnes of concrete.
“Where we had old office space, we are converting them into new lovely classrooms, and we are moving the ‘teachers’ hub’ into the centre of the school.”
With more than £2 million of work needed, the school – which joined the North West Academies Trust in November 2018 – has also managed to secure funding for phased replacement of all roofing in the school.
Ms Roslan said: “The biggest challenge has been getting all the services up and running while keeping the school open – we need the gas and electrics to keep lessons going.
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“With the money coming form insurance, once we identified the problem and solution it takes a while for the loss adjustors to follow the process and make a decision.
“It’s the restoration of a building and also the improvements on top of that. It will make a huge difference.
“We will be moving reception back down to the front of the school, so it’s a massive change. If you walk around now, it’s quite a different school – it feels brighter and more joyful.
“It’s my school, and I love it.”
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