Urgent work to ensure safety of Sheffield school where roof tiles are falling into playground
Urgent temporary repairs have been approved for the roof of a Sheffield primary school described as being in “a severely deteriorated state”.
Immediate health and safety issues have been identified at Carterknowle Junior School on Carterknowle Road.
Temporary roof safety work costing £720,000 was agreed by Sheffield City Council’s finance and performance policy committee on Monday (March 16).
The work has been funded by the Department for Education.
A report to the committee said: “A recent condition survey has confirmed that the roof at Carterknowle Junior School is in a severely deteriorated state.
“Roof tiles and other materials are falling from the building, forcing parts of the playground to be cordoned off to keep pupils, staff, and visitors safe.
Risks
“Internally, water ingress is causing ceilings to degrade.”
It added: “The building is continuing to deteriorate and the current condition presents immediate health and safety risks with the potential to disrupt education provision.”
Temporary works will help to ensure that parts of the school do not need to be closed off, causing disruption to classes and possibly forcing pupils and staff to move out temporarily.
Full roofing works would then follow in 2027.
Temporary measures include:
- Installing edge protection around the entire roof to catch any loose or falling materials;
- Removing damaged suspended ceilings in classrooms and replacing them with flame-retardant sheeting as a temporary barrier;
- Constructing a temporary scaffold roof structure to prevent further weather damage and allow safe access for contractors.
Councillor Martin Phipps said: “I can only imagine it’s really concerning to parents and pupils. It’s really important that we make that school safe.
Underfunding
“It’s really regrettable how the school’s deteriorated to that point. It’s the result of underfunding we’ve seen over a long period of time and something we desperately need to change.”
Coun Dawn Dale, chair of the education, children’s and families committee, said last week: “Ensuring that every child in Sheffield can continue their education safely and without disruption is absolutely vital, and this work represents an important step in securing that.
“Our priority is always to make sure pupils can learn, thrive and feel supported.”
She added: “I know that many parents have understandably felt worried about the situation and I hope today’s news offers some reassurance. Their children’s safety and education remain our top priority.”
Councillors also agreed to Department for Education-funded spending at two other schools.
A budget of £74,300 will be used to assess a new heating system for Reignhead Primary School in Platts Drive, Beighton.
Sensory
The cost of work at The Rowan Primary School off Furniss Avenue, Dore, was increased by £39,000 to £255,200.
The small special primary school for children who have complex speech, language and communication difficulties has a capacity of 85 but currently has more than 100 pupils.
The work planned will allow the refurbishment of quiet rooms and a sensory room and reconfiguration of outdoor spaces.
A report to the committee said: “Following a successful, tried and tested quiet room refurbishment solution in the school, a request has now been made to roll this out to the remaining quiet rooms.”
Coun Martin Smith praised the work of the school, which is in his Dore and Totley ward.
He said: “They do some amazing work with young people with severe challenges.”