Newsroom

Following the discovery of structural issues as part of routine work, the main building of St Peter's CofE Junior School in Ruddington has been permanently closed. 

Wayne Bexton, Director of Economy, Environment and Assets at Nottinghamshire County Council, explains:

“Following detailed investigations and after seeking expert advice, we have no other choice but to permanently close the main building. The safety of pupils, staff and visitors has to be our number one priority, as reports show that the building has structural issues which are beyond repair. Whilst the likelihood of structural failure is very low, this is of course still too much.

“Our long-term plan is to demolish and rebuild the school and we have already written to the Department for Education to request urgent funding. This has the backing of the local MP.

“In the meanwhile, we have commissioned urgent work to build a new temporary learning village next to the current building which will accommodate all 350 pupils.

“We have made this a council priority and initial survey work has already started on site, with construction works due to start in January 2026.   Any disruption will be kept to a minimum.

“It is planned that the new learning village will be ready to open in March 2026.  Designs will be shared with the school, parents and wider community early in the New Year."

Peter McConnochie, Director of Education and Inclusion at Nottinghamshire County Council, added:

" We know these are very uncertain times for staff, pupils, and families, but we want to assure the community that council teams, the school and partners are working hard to provide the best possible learning environment, both in the short term and long term.

“We would like to thank the Nottinghamshire schools who have accommodated pupils in the lead up Christmas, specifically James Peacock Infant School, also in Ruddington, Radcliffe on Trent Infants and Nursery School, Rushcliffe Spencer Academy and Cotgrave Candleby Lane School.

"When the new term starts in January, more than 350 pupils will continue to have a place at other local schools or facilities. These include James Peacock Infant School, Cotgrave Candleby Lane School, Jesse Gray Primary School and Millside Spencer Academy. A school bus service will continue to be provided for pupils travelling outside of Ruddington.

"We are deeply grateful to all these schools for their support through this time.

“We recognise parents will have already submitted applications for infant to junior transfer for the school and would reassure those parents that the application process is not affected.  Parents who applied on time will receive an outcome on National Offer Day, 16 April 2026”.

ENDS