Demolition plans have been submitted for a Newcastle primary school affected by the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) crisis. St John Vianney Catholic Primary School in West Denton was one of many schools across the country severely impacted by the discovery of RAAC in 2023.
Temporary classrooms since 2023
Pupils have been taught in temporary buildings on the Hillhead Road site's sports fields since the concrete issue emerged. The Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust has promised a redevelopment that would provide a permanent new home.
A demolition notice for the old school building and a former caretaker's house has now been submitted to Newcastle City Council. The notice warns of "extensive structural concerns" that have made repair works unviable.
RAAC risks and timeline
RAAC is a weaker form of concrete used from the 1950s to the 1980s, and its presence has raised fears that many public buildings could be at risk of collapse. Demolition at St John Vianney is expected to take place in October this year, with classes continuing in the temporary school building and the Lindisfarne Block.
A further planning application will be required for the new-build replacement, with the aim to complete the development by the end of 2027. A modern two-storey school is planned on a similar footprint to the original, funded by the Department for Education under the School Rebuilding Programme.
Why demolition is necessary
The demolition proposals, submitted by planning agents Avison Young on behalf of Galliford Try Construction, state: "The demolition of the existing main school building, more recent extensions and the caretakers house are proposed as the buildings are now obsolete and redundant. The original school building has been in place since 1975 and has been extended twice during 1999 and 2017.
"It is unsafe due to the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) and deleterious materials. There are significant structural issues with the RAAC roof which requires considerable propping/temporary stabilisation. These extensive structural concerns mean that refurbishment of the existing building and its extensions would not be deliverable. In addition, the existing building does not meet the DfE requirements for school buildings as the rooms are not the recommended size and the daylighting and insulation levels are poor.
"The former caretakers house was also constructed in 1975 and is in a poor/end of life condition with cracking and areas of weak pointing in the walls. It has considerable damp, water penetration and condensation issues internally resulting in a dilapidated condition."
Impact on pupils and staff
The statement adds that the temporary learning arrangements have presented "significant challenges" for both pupils and staff, and that there is "an urgency to provide a permanent solution for the school".
The Bishop Bewick trust also runs St Columba's Catholic Primary School in Wallsend, which was similarly impacted by RAAC. Designs for its proposed new building following demolition were unveiled earlier this year and are now under consideration by North Tyneside Council.
