The Blue School in Wells is facing a prolonged period of disruption, with the likelihood of not having all pupils back in school until Easter due to ongoing structural issues.

The Kennion Building, a significant part of the school's infrastructure, was found to have cracked concrete ceilings and floors during an inspection last summer, leading to the closure of 20 classrooms.

While investigative work continues on the Kennion Building, to see if it can be salvaged, the school has been putting contingency measures in place, including plans for the installation of temporary classrooms.

Headteacher Mark Woodlock provided an update on the current situation, emphasising the issue's complexity.

"At the moment, it appears unlikely that these new classrooms, if they are needed, would arrive before Easter," he said. This timescale is mainly due to the extensive surveys and planning required for a safe installation and the national demand for temporary buildings.

The school has been engaged in intensive contingency planning, with support from the Department for Education (DfE), Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), and local authorities.

Mr Woodlock reassured the community that the aim is to return all students to face-to-face education as quickly and safely as possible, countering any concerns about a permanent shift to online learning.

Temporary classroom planning is underway, with site visits from contractors and consultations with architects and building consultants. These efforts are focused on ensuring that any temporary solutions address the needs of students, including the flow of students and the provision of social and catering spaces.

While the school is making progress in managing the current crisis, the uncertainty surrounding the Kennion block's future remains a concern.

"We do not know whether Kennion block has any future and therefore, when we think about temporary buildings, we have to acknowledge that they may be in place for some time whilst other building work is planned for," he added.

The school has also secured extra rooms at the Portway Annexe, thanks to the town council's support, which will be used for some sixth-form students, helping to free up space on the main campus.