New site for school affected by unsafe concrete

The only North Yorkshire school impacted by a potentially dangerous concrete could be rebuilt and relocated.

Scalby School in Scarborough identified reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) in 2023, with most pupils continuing to have lessons in temporary classrooms.

North Yorkshire Council said it had offered to lease part of the former Lower Graham School site on Lady Edith's Drive to allow for the relocation, forming part of the Department for Education's school rebuilding programme.

The plans are set to be discussed by the authority's executive on Tuesday, with the new location about half a mile away from the existing site.

The proposed site is partially occupied by Springhead Sixth Form College, North Yorkshire Council said, which would not be affected by the move.

Councillor Gareth Dadd, the authority's deputy leader, said: "Given the site's previous educational use, the location selected is ideal and this is an exciting investment for the school, pupils and the local community."

Scalby School, which is currently operating from Fieldstead Crescent and is run by a multi-academy trust, accommodates about 1,000 pupils aged between 11 and 16.

If approved, the new site would be leased to the academy trust on a 125-year agreement.

• What is RAAC concrete and why is it a safety risk?

Chris Robertson, school headteacher, said: "The negotiation and securing of land for our new secondary school building is not just about bricks and mortar, it represents a renewed commitment to the future of our young people.

"In a coastal town where opportunities can be limited, this project offers a beacon of hope and a promise of better educational outcomes."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.