School celebrates ‘first-class’ intervention by surveyor

Chartered surveying firm Invise is playing a key role in helping staff and pupils at a Derbyshire primary school return to using much-needed classroom space.

St Elizabeth’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, at Belper, was forced to close three of its learning spaces in September 2023 after RAAC was discovered in the roof covering the classroom block.

It followed the widely reported safety concerns caused by deteriorating reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete that led to the full or partial closure of 174 schools across the UK.

Invise was called in by St Ralph Sherwin Catholic Multi Academy Trust, which oversees a number of schools, including St Elizabeth’s, to carry out a condition survey and, subsequently, to project manage the roof replacement work.

The firm was instrumental in helping the trust successfully apply for government grant funding to support the project, eventually enabling work to start in January.

Now, with completion and redecoration expected by the Easter holidays, the school is looking forward to returning to normality and regaining its lost classrooms.

James Baker, managing director of Invise, said: “Like many tendering processes, applying for government grant funding cannot be achieved overnight.

“But we were there to guide the trust in the process and we finally got the outcome we wanted.

“Now, with work well underway, everyone at the school and the academy trust can now see some light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s been a pleasure to support the trust in this project and help relieve some of the difficulties the school has faced since being forced to close much-needed classrooms through no fault of its own.”

Amanda Clemens, headteacher at St Elizabeth’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, said: “Eighteen months ago we had to come up with a creative plan to allow us to continue delivering education and care to our pupils, after RAAC was discovered in part of our school roof.

“Our staff rose to the challenge and worked incredibly hard to create pop-up classrooms in different parts of the school.

“Our pupils quickly adapted to the changes and we would like to thank them, our staff and our parents, who have been so supportive.

“We are delighted that work has started on the roof and we are looking forward to pupils returning to their classrooms when the project has been completed.”