One month ago, schools were racing time to find temporary spaces or even delaying the start to term due reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC). 

Despite the "significant closure" of spaces, the four impacted Suffolk schools have worked to ensure students could return to the site. 

Hadleigh High, East Bergholt High and Claydon High, all part of Penrose Learning Trust, have returned on-site following the discovery of RAAC within the schools at the end of August. 

Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, which has been partially closed over the issue, also uses transformed temporary spaces as classrooms. 

Peter Smith, who had recently taken the reins of Farlingaye High School, had even said he was prepared to turn his office into a classroom.

Speaking a month on, Mr Smith said: “Despite significant closure of spaces, with roughly around a third of the school affected, we've been really fortunate that the attitude and commitment of both our brilliant staff and students has meant we have ensured that the school has remained fully open to all students at all times.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Peter Smith, the headteacher of Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, Farlingaye High SchoolPeter Smith, the headteacher of Farlingaye High School in Woodbridge, Farlingaye High School (Image: Newsquest)

“Our temporary spaces are now fully operational, and we're excited about adding further spaces to increase capacity in the very near future.” 

While some students from Hadleigh High, East Bergholt High and Claydon High had been supported remotely in the interim period, they were able to go back to the 26 temporary classrooms placed on school grounds.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Hadleigh High School is among the schools impacted by the concrete issues, Google Maps Hadleigh High School is among the schools impacted by the concrete issues, Google Maps (Image: Google Maps)

READ MORE: Steeple Bumpstead Primary School in Haverhill was also affected by RAAC

READ MORE: List of schools affected by concrete safety fears

Sarah Skinner, chief executive officer at Penrose Learning Trust, said: “We have worked hard to secure temporary classrooms across the affected sites so that teaching can resume as normal.  

East Anglian Daily Times: Sarah Skinner, chief executive officer at Penrose Learning Trust, NewsquestSarah Skinner, chief executive officer at Penrose Learning Trust, Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

“I would like to thank our dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to manage the situation as quickly as possible to ensure there was little disruption to learning.  

“I am also grateful to all our parents and students for their continued patience, cooperation and adaptability in the face of a challenging situation.  

“We are committed to doing all we can to uphold the high standards of teaching and learning that all our students deserve, while ensuring our learning environments are as safe as possible at all times.” 

The trust has assured that parents, carers and the community will be kept informed on the status of the school sites.