The Blue School in Wells has just been “treated” to a ministerial visit. Baroness Barran, the Department for Education Minister was joined on her visit by the Member of Parliament for Wells, James Heappey. The visit was to take a look at the problem the school is facing following the closure of 20 classrooms in the Kennion Block. Structural investigations of the block continue. However given that significant cracking amongst all of the concrete floors was found, the outlook is not promising. There has also been concern over the design of the concrete flooring joists themselves. It is not clear at this point if the whole block will need to be demolished and rebuilt.

Along with officials from the Department for Education they were taken on a tour of the school. They saw the Kennion Block at first hand and also the sites identified as suitable for temporary classrooms. Meeting with governors and Headteacher Mark Woodlock they discussed solutions to the immediate problem. M r Woodlock noted: “James Heappey, MP, was very helpful and supportive in our meetings with the DfE and will continue to attend as many of our weekly meetings as he can.”

Although work has continued at pace it looks unlikely as if temporary schoolrooms can be installed on site before Easter. However on the plus side, Wells City Council have agreed to support the school by loaning them the use of 2 rooms in the Portway Annex.

MP James Heappey added: “Parents, teachers, and the Government all share a desire to minimise the amount of time students spend away from school which is why the school’s leadership team and officials from the Department for Education are working at such pace to deliver temporary accommodation.”

In the meantime students in years 7,8 and 9 are taking it in turns to have online lessons at home to ease the pressure on the remaining school rooms.