Unsafe Ancaster school block set for demolition after mould and timber damage

A school building in Ancaster is to be demolished and rebuilt after investigations found it had become unsafe because of extensive mould and rotting timber, in a case that has raised fresh questions about how school buildings are maintained across Lincolnshire. Lincolnshire County Council said pupils at Ancaster Church of England Primary School were moved into mobile classrooms in 2024 after air quality concerns in a two-classroom block meant it could no longer be used safely. Those temporary classrooms are costing £1,429 a week while longer-term plans are put in place. The problem building was constructed in 2015 and had been expected to remain in use for up to 25 years.

But tests carried out in March 2024 found standing water beneath the floors had seeped into the timber frame. The result was widespread mould and deterioration that ultimately forced the block to close three months later. Earlier concerns about damp and mould had initially been linked to leaking toilets and roof issues. However, further investigation pointed to a more fundamental problem.

Council officers said the site sits on a high water table and that this had not been properly addressed in the original design. The issue has prompted criticism from county councillors, who described the situation as a waste of money and expressed frustration that accountability appears limited. There was also concern over maintenance, with the council saying a lack of upkeep by the school had invalidated its insurance and left no route to recover costs. That means the bill for demolition and rebuilding will not be offset through an insurance claim.

The council has not released the cost of the work, saying that figure remains confidential for financial reasons. For families in Ancaster and the surrounding area, the immediate reality is that children will continue learning in temporary accommodation for some time yet. The replacement classroom block is not expected to be ready until spring 2027, extending what was meant to be a relatively modern school building's lifespan by far less than originally planned. The case is also feeding into a wider discussion at County Hall about oversight of school estates.

Natalie Oliver, the council's portfolio holder for children, said she wants building condition surveys to take place every two years rather than every five. The council's culture and children's committee was told, however, that its powers over how schools maintain their buildings are limited. In a county where many communities rely heavily on a single village school, the closure of even part of a site can have a significant local impact. In Ancaster, what should have been a long-lasting classroom block will now be torn down, with pupils and staff left waiting for a permanent replacement.

This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.