School affected by RAAC to move students to new sixth-form centre during repairs

A Northampton school is seeking permission to temporarily move students to a new sixth-form centre during repair works to remove Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).

Northampton International Academy (NIA) has proposed its 240 sixth-form students change campus to a makeshift site in Elgin House, a vacant three-storey office block near the centre of town. According to NIA, the building will be completely refurbished ahead of the new school year to provide "modern and spacious facilities" for the post-16 students.

It was confirmed last September that the Academy's roof contains RAAC, a lightweight concrete that is more susceptible to structural failure. The school subsequently released a statement confirming that the top floor of the building, which housed 18 classrooms and the sixth form area, would not be in use as a precautionary measure.

However, the rest of the school has remained open and continues to deliver the full curriculum to all year groups within its grounds. The new centre will be funded by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of their commitment to remove all RAAC in schools and colleges across England.

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LocatED Property Limited, an education settings expert used by the government, has now submitted an application to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to use Elgin House, on Billing Road, as a temporary teaching site.

The Academy will occupy the former office space whilst repair works are undertaken on the existing school building, on Barrack Road. The new centre will include 12 classrooms and a sixth-form common room, with on-site catering facilities,

An initial five-year lease has been agreed for the provision.

Blueprints suggest the building will encompass a small car park for the 25 members of staff who will be transferred across, however zero student parking spaces are proposed. Parents, carers and guardians will be discouraged from dropping off and picking up pupils by private car.

Instead, students will be encouraged to use public transport, such as bus or cycle networks, as the site is in an "accessible area". A minibus transfer from the Barrack Road building to Elgin House will also be available for pupils.

Northampton International Academy headteacher Martin Serrão said: “We are
excited that we will be able to provide sixth-form students with a new, inspiring
learning environment for them to continue their studies and work towards achieving their aspirations.

"We're looking forward to welcoming students to the new sixth form centre in
September.”

Plans are still under consultation and WNC has allotted a target decision date of June 12. The applicant has asked for the plans to be determined "as soon as possible" to ensure the school is open by the start of the next academic year.

Parents, staff and students are also being encouraged to be part of the planning process and can submit name suggestions for the new post-16 facility via NIA's website.