New site found for pupils of 'unsafe' school
BBCA temporary site has been found for a school which had to be closed when cracks appeared on its upper floor.
Prudhoe Community High School in Northumberland was shut on Monday 17 February, and pupils were told they would not be able to return until 3 March.
But the Cheviot Learning Trust then told parents the school would be closed for "six to nine months as a minimum" after the building - built nine years ago - was found to be unsafe.
The trust said it would reveal the new site once the deal with its owners was complete.
Trust chief executive Alice Witherow said: "I know that this is frustrating but the other party has asked us not to release information at this point.
"I am very hopeful, however, that this is a good interim solution."
The school was built in 2016 at a cost of £14.6m under the previous Conservative government's priority school building programme (PSBP).
The building has been deemed "unsafe" by engineers and "stringent" safety measures are in place to prevent access.
Pupils are currently learning online from home.
Parent Tracey Gilmour said she was worried about the impact on her daughter, who is about to take her GCSEs.
"Now they're home-schooling and not in front of the teachers so they're missing that crucial stage of the year when they really need to prepare for their exams," she said.
In a statement, the trust said it continued to "explore the possibility of installing portable classrooms onsite as a longer-term option".
But, it said, that was dependent on "ongoing structural investigations and advice from surveyors regarding land movement beneath the school building".
Ms Witherow added: "Staff have told me they are really impressed with the resilience of the students and it is great to hear these positive stories.
"I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who is making this possible.
"The support from parents, the local community, the Department for Education and Northumberland County Council has been invaluable."