Raac-hit school's new building officially opens

A school's new building has officially opened, three years after dangerous concrete forced the old one to close.

Students at St Leonard's Catholic School in Durham were forced to take lessons remotely and in other venues after reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) was found in 2023.

On Friday, its new building was officially blessed by the Bishop of Hexham and Newcastle and declared open.

PE teacher Andrew Bell said initially losing the sports facilities had been "really tough" and praised the new site, saying: "When we first got in here, we couldn't believe our luck."

The school, which has around 1,400 pupils, was forced to close in September 2023 after buildings were deemed structurally unsafe and at risk of collapse.

Some students returned to temporary buildings, while others had to commute several miles away to Ushaw College.

Year 11 pupil Finn said: "It was a lot.

"There was a sense of uncertainty. But we got through it, we found a solution."

Deputy head teacher Vicky Curry said she and the rest of the school were "absolutely delighted" that it was officially open.

"After all that we've been through with moving across sites, being off-site at some points, it's just absolutely brilliant to have the whole school community together finally."

Pupils have already been using the new building since Easter.

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