A SCHOOL has been forced to use temporary classrooms after a ‘serious issue’ saw part of the roof collapse.

Sandhurst School has been using 10 temporary classrooms in the past weeks, after contracted engineers discovered a serious, long-term problem with one of the buildings, according to a school newsletter.

It described how part of the roof over a vital walkway had collapsed, risking closure to multiple year groups.

ALSO READ: Major building plans revealed for site covered up by developers

Sandhurst School headteacher Debbie Smith said: "Due to a problem with the roof, exacerbated by bad weather, we’ve had to temporarily stop using one of the buildings on site so repairs can take place.

“Contractors have secured the building and it’ll remain out of use until repairs have been completed.

“I would like to thank our students at Sandhurst School for quickly adjusting to the changes with maturity and understanding and staff for their ongoing support.”

In a newsletter in late November, she said that the first six temporary classrooms have been placed, and were soon to be powered.

The remaining four classrooms were expected to arrive early December.

ALSO READ: All the Bracknell schools reporting full or partial closures today

School officials heard on November 15 that the damaged roof had partially collapsed, risking the school closing to some year groups if a walkway – vital for social distancing measures – could not be made safe, and had to close.

“I was concerned because I knew this would mean potentially rethinking our space around the site and how our day is structured to ensure safety and still ensure separate bubbles,” the headteacher said.

“Relief of course that nobody was hurt - that just does not bear thinking about.”

Bracknell Forest Council, managing the building work, held an emergency meeting, and work began on making the walkway safe and it was completed on November 20.

The headteacher added: “The whole operation was remarkably smooth, and this is down to staff and students here in school, the council, contractors, and of course, our senior site controller.”