A Norfolk school forced to close its main hall a year ago has reached a key milestone in its repair project after removing all the crumbling concrete from its roof.

In August last year, Thomas Bullock Church of England Primary School in Shipdham was forced to delay the school term by a day and shut off its assembly hall.

It followed last-minute changes to government regulations on education buildings containing reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which were made just days before the start of the school year.

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The new rules meant schools were unable to use any buildings containing the concrete, meaning the hall was deemed off limits until the material was removed.

Since then, the hall has been replaced with a temporary marquee structure on the school playing field, which children have been using for lunches, PE and assemblies.

But now, the building project is approaching is nearing completion and has just passed an important milestone.

Leaders are hopeful the assembly hall will be able to return to useby Christmas, after contractors were successful in removing all the RAAC from its roof.

(Image: DNEAT)

With the concrete panels now removed, the project will now see steel supports installed to replace them - some of which are already in place.

Once this task is complete, pupils will once again be able to use the assembly hall.

Oliver Burwood, chief executive of the Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, which runs the school, said; "This is a fantastic milestone.

"Thomas Bullock was the only school with RAAC in Norfolk and now it is RAAC-free.

"We are still well on track to complete the roof works and return the hall to full use, by Christmas as planned.

"I'm delighted for the children, staff and families at the school and would like to thank them for their continued hard work, patience and support."