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Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge gets new library

Luke Deal/BBC The opening of the new libraryLuke Deal/BBC
Ruth Leigh, a local author, officially opened the new library on Monday

A library has been constructed from former shipping containers at a school after its previous building was closed due to crumbling concrete.

Farlingaye High School, in Woodbridge, Suffolk, saw a third of its site shut down due to issues with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac).

The new building and offices were opened on Monday, three months after the previous building closed.

Sarah Mason, head of the library, said she was "thrilled" with the new space.

"It is the heart and soul of the school," she said. "Loads of students use it and it's been quite a difficult time for us without the library."

Luke Deal/BBC The new library and office buildingLuke Deal/BBC
Melton-based company Box Worx created the space, which includes offices on the first floor

At the beginning of the academic year, more than 100 schools in England were forced to close buildings made with Raac.

The lightweight material was used between the 1950s and 1960s, and had a lifespan of about 30 years.

The school has since operated using temporary classrooms, while local scouts also donated a marquee.

Luke Deal/BBC Inside the new library at Farlingaye High SchoolLuke Deal/BBC
Sarah Mason said the library is the "heart and soul" of the school

The school said it hoped work to address the Raac-affected buildings would be complete by the next academic year.

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