The headteacher of a Woodbridge school has called for faster progress to resolve issues at his school with so-called 'crumbling concrete'.

Peter Smith, head at Farlingaye High School, said the Department for Education (DfE) had made slow progress with renovations following the partial closure of the school in September.

More than 200 schools and colleges across England have been found to have been built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC).

READ MORE: Suffolk school affected by RAAC has had 'very positive term'

The lightweight 'bubbly' material was used in flat roofing, floors and walls from the 1950s to 1990s as a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, but was less durable with a lifespan of 30 years.

East Anglian Daily Times: A container building being used at Farlingaye High SchoolA container building being used at Farlingaye High School (Image: Farlingaye High School)

Consequently, in September, schools closed to have the concrete removed because of concerns over safety.

Staff at the Woodbridge school then had to scramble to find spaces around the site that could be turned into classrooms, while the wider community also helped with 5th Woodbridge Sea Scouts providing a marquee for use as the sixth form common room.

READ MORE: Woodbridge scouts support Farlingaye school amid RAAC crisis

New mobile buildings were introduced to provide temporary classrooms, while a new library was made from shipping containers and work was carried out to the music and art block.

The school has also been added to the government's School Rebuilding Programme, which will be revamping more than 100 schools affected by RAAC.

But Mr Smith said while the school had been able to reinstate four classrooms in its drama department, the DfE had paused work while a decision was made on next steps.

He added: "I fully appreciate there are lots of schools affected, but this needs some real urgency."

A DfE spokesperson said the department was committed to removing RAAC in a "timely manner" and was working with responsible bodies "as quickly as possible".

She added each case was different and would require different levels of work, while in some cases work was already under way and would be completed in the coming months.